LETTER 447. TO J. JENNER WEIR.
Down, June 18th [1868].

Many thanks. I am glad that you mentioned the linnet, for I had much
difficulty in persuading myself that the crimson breast could be due to
change in the old feathers, as the books say. I am glad to hear of the
retribution of the wicked old she-bullfinch. You remember telling me how
many Weirs and Jenners have been naturalists; now this morning I have been
putting together all my references about one bird of a pair being killed,
and a new mate being soon found; you, Jenner Weir, have given me some most
striking cases with starlings; Dr. Jenner gives the most curious case of
all in "Philosophical Transactions" (447/1. "Phil. Trans." 1824.), and a
Mr. Weir gives the next most striking in Macgillivray. (447/2.
Macgillivray's "History of British Birds," Volume I., page 570. See
"Descent of Man" (1901), page 621.) Now, is this not odd? Pray remember
how very glad we shall be to see you here whenever you can come.

Did some ancient progenitor of the Weirs and Jenners puzzle his brains
about the mating of birds, and has the question become indelibly fixed in
all your minds?


LETTER 448. TO A.R. WALLACE.
August 19th [1868].

I had become, before my nine weeks' horrid interruption of all work,
extremely interested in sexual selection, and was making fair progress. In
truth it has vexed me much to find that the farther I get on the more I
differ from you about the females being dull-coloured for protection. I