WCP5502

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Nov[ember]. 5th. 1889

My dear Sir

Your case of the chaffinch using newspaper in its nest is interesting, but many similar modifications have been recorded.

As to the song of the birds at other times than the pairing season I think it is merely the pleasurable exercise of a function originally gained for purposes of recognition between the sexes & perhaps also as an aid to sexual excitement.

I cannot enter into the question of the accumulation of any faculty without the aid of selection which does not seem to me to be likely.

Yours faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]