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]
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 |
letter | (8) |
Weir, J. J. | (6) |
Darwin, C. R. | (2) |
Darwin, C. R. | (6) |
Weir, J. J. | (2) |