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Darwin, C. R. in correspondent 
Weir, J. J. in correspondent 
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DCP-LETT-6128

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Jenner Weir
Date:
18 Apr [1868]
Source of text:
Duke University, Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RL.10387)
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].

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6130

From:
John Jenner Weir
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
20 Apr 1868
Source of text:
DAR 181: 76
Summary:

Instinct in birds; nest-building.

Inheritance of acquired characters.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6078

From:
John Jenner Weir
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[before 28 Apr] 1868
Source of text:
DAR 86: C1–2, DAR 84.1: 73–4
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.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6145

From:
John Jenner Weir
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
28 Apr – 4 May 1868
Source of text:
DAR 181: 77
Summary:

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

[CD’s notes are for his reply, 6165.]

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6151

From:
John Jenner Weir
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[4–7] May 1868
Source of text:
DAR 84.1: 75–6, DAR 86: C3–4
Summary:

Proportion of sexes in ruffs [see Descent 1: 306].

Colour display in linnets, songbirds. Courtship display of Australian pigeon at zoo.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6165

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Jenner Weir
Date:
7 May [1868]
Source of text:
American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.)
Summary:

Thanks JJW for his great assistance.

Discusses sexual selection in birds.

Sends queries on secondary sexual characteristics of birds.

Has often marvelled at the different growth of the flowering and creeping branches of ivy.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6537

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Jenner Weir
Date:
[before 18 May 1868]
Source of text:
American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.)
Summary:

CD cannot remember whether correspondent believed the wing that Gallus bankiva opens and scrapes before the female, is ornamented. He fears it is not.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6181

From:
John Jenner Weir
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
18 May 1868
Source of text:
DAR 84.1: 81–2, DAR 86: A37–8
Summary:

Answers CD’s question on whether any female birds regularly sing.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-5748

From:
John Jenner Weir
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[before 30 May 1868]
Source of text:
DAR 181: 73
Summary:

Reversion of tamed animals to wild behaviour.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6215

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Jenner Weir
Date:
30 May [1868]
Source of text:
University of Chicago Library, Special Collections Research Center (Joseph Halle Schaffner collection box 1, folder 2)
Summary:

Glad to have JJW’s opinion on nest-building. Wallace’s view [that skill is learned] is opposed to many facts.

Asks JJW about birds and their behaviour.

Wants information on the first plumage of different breeds of canaries.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6226

From:
John Jenner Weir
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
3 June 1868
Source of text:
DAR 181: 78
Summary:

Plumage of canaries; changes in plumage with successive moults.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6232

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Jenner Weir
Date:
5 June 1868
Source of text:
DAR 148: 317; Duke University, Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RL.10387)
Summary:

Sorry JJW cannot visit.

Will go to sea-side for five weeks at end of July.

Does Vidua have double annual moult? [See Descent 2: 181.]

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6249

From:
John Jenner Weir
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[before 18 June 1868]
Source of text:
DAR 84.1: 141–2
Summary:

Coloration of linnets.

Sexual behaviour of black hen bullfinch.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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DCP-LETT-6250

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Jenner Weir
Date:
18 June [1868]
Source of text:
American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.)
Summary:

CD thanks JJW for letter about the crimson breast of linnets

and the fate of a pugnacious female bullfinch.

Refers to JJW’s pointing out the number of Jenners and Weirs who have been naturalists, and cites some writings by men of those families about striking cases of birds.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6343

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Jenner Weir
Date:
1 Sept 1868
Source of text:
DAR 148: 319
Summary:

Invites JJW to visit Down. Will try to get A. R. Wallace and H. W. Bates also.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6421

From:
John Jenner Weir
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[before 17] Oct 1868
Source of text:
DAR 86: A36, 53; DAR 84.1: 139
Summary:

Both sexes of Crossoptilon auritum (eared pheasant) obtained the red cheeks the first year.

Coloration of the linnet.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6422

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Jenner Weir
Date:
17 Oct 1868
Source of text:
DAR 148: 320
Summary:

Enjoyed JJW’s visit.

Interested in changes in plumage of pheasants.

Still at work on sexual selection in birds.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6723

From:
John Jenner Weir
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[1–13] May 1869
Source of text:
DAR 181: 79
Summary:

South Down sheep: variability in colouring and patterning of lambs compared with constancy of adult coat.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6746

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Jenner Weir
Date:
13 May [1869]
Source of text:
DAR 148: 321
Summary:

Comments on paper by JJW ["On insects and insectivorous birds", Trans. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. (1869): 21–6]. JJW’s verification of A. R. Wallace’s suggestion regarding inheritance is quite a discovery.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-6753

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Jenner Weir
Date:
20 May [1869]
Source of text:
DAR 148: 322
Summary:

Asks for information about male birds migrating before females.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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