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nydus/Contributions to the Theory of Natural SelectionPublic

This volume collects essays written by Alfred Russel Wallace regarding his independent discovery and development of the theory of natural selection. The author provides corrected and expanded versions of his previous scientific writings to demonstrate the scope and application of his findings.

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Table of Contents

VII. A THEORY OF BIRDS’ NESTS; Showing the relation of certain differences of colour in Female Birds, to their mode of Nidification.

  1. Estrelda, Amadina. In these genera of Eastern and Australian finches the females, although more or less different from the males, are still very conspicuous having a red rump, or being white spotted. They differ from most others of the family in building domed nests.
  1. Certhiola. In these pretty little American creepers the sexes are alike, and they build a domed nest.
  1. Mynahs (Sturnidæ). These showy Eastern starlings have the sexes exactly alike. They build in holes of trees.
  1. Calornis (Sturnidæ). These brilliant metallic starlings have no sexual differences. They build a pensile covered nest.
  1. Hangnests (Icteridæ). The red or yellow and black plumage of most of these birds is very conspicuous, and is exactly alike in both sexes. They are celebrated for their fine purse-shaped pensile nests.
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