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From J. J. Weir   [before 28 April] 1868

Summary

Proportion of sexes in chaffinches.

Pugnacity of blackbirds and robins.

Harrison Weir reports up to nine eggs in starling nests.

Newspaper report of a sheep born with its owner’s brand.

Author:  John Jenner Weir
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  [before 28 Apr] 1868
Classmark:  DAR 86: C1–2, DAR 84.1: 73–4
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-6078

From J. J. Weir   5 April 1868

Summary

George Rolleston’s son was born with a scar on his knee exactly where GR cut himself with a knife years before his marriage. Gives several other examples of inherited mutilation.

Author:  John Jenner Weir
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  5 Apr 1868
Classmark:  DAR 181: 74
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-6093

From J. J. Weir   16 April 1868

Summary

Describes a curious litter of rabbits.

Pairing of rooks, courtship of golden pheasant.

Behaviour of finch hybrids.

Seasonal coloration of birds; bright plumage results from sexual selection.

Author:  John Jenner Weir
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  16 Apr 1868
Classmark:  DAR 84.1: 71–2, 140, DAR 181: 75
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-6125

From J. J. Weir   20 April 1868

Summary

Instinct in birds; nest-building.

Inheritance of acquired characters.

Author:  John Jenner Weir
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  20 Apr 1868
Classmark:  DAR 181: 76
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-6130

From J. J. Weir   28 April – 4 May 1868

Summary

Observations on root-climbers. Variegated and arborescent varieties of Hedera.

[CD’s notes are for his reply, 6165.]

Author:  John Jenner Weir
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  28 Apr – 4 May 1868
Classmark:  DAR 181: 77
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-6145

From J. J. Weir   [14 April 1868]

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Summary

Starlings find new mates readily. Nesting in threes common.

Recognition of song by birds.

Author:  John Jenner Weir
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  [14 Apr 1868]
Classmark:  DAR 84.1: 88–9
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-6152

To J. J. Weir   4 April [1868]

Summary

CD thanks JJW for the mine of information his last "ten!" letters contain. Comments on sexual display of pheasants and colour preferences of pigeons.

Asks about hens that pair earliest in spring and about possible existence of unpaired birds.

Author:  Charles Robert Darwin
Addressee:  John Jenner Weir
Date:  4 Apr [1868]
Classmark:  American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-6090

To J. J. Weir   18 April [1868]

Summary

Discusses rapid replacement of mates among birds. "I begin to think that the pairing of birds must be as delicate and tedious an operation as the pairing of young gentlemen and ladies. If I can convince myself that there are habitually many unpaired birds it will be a great aid to me in sexual selection". Notes rivalry of singing birds.

Heard from George Rolleston of the inherited effects of an eye injury.

Disagrees with A. R. Wallace’s idea "that birds learn to make their nests from having seen them whilst young" ["The philosophy of birds’ nests", Intellect. Obs. 11 (1867): 413–20].

Author:  Charles Robert Darwin
Addressee:  John Jenner Weir
Date:  18 Apr [1868]
Classmark:  Duke University, Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RL.10387)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-6128
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