WCP6530

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset

Jan^y 23rd. 1899

W. Storrs Fox Esq.

Dear Sir

I am very glad to hear that you so strongly believe that female birds do not as a rule exercise any choice of their mates. That has always been my opinion and the greater part of my Chapter X. (Darwinism) is an argument against Darwin's views. The passages to which you refer were inserted merely because I did not wish wholly to exclude [2] the evidence of partial or occasional female choice which Darwin thought so strong. The first passage you quote — that "some observations on birds in a state of nature prove the same thing" — referred to Darwin's section on Unpaired Birds — pp.407-10 of the Desc^t of Man. Instead of "prove" I should have said no "are thought to prove". And the other passage with regard to the "likes and dislikes" of female birds referred to such cases as that [3] of the "pied peacock" being preferred by the peahens, and other cases referred to just above the statement you quote.

My view as to the entire fallacy of Darwin's elaborate theory of all the colours & patterns of male birds & butterflies being due to female selection or "preferential mating" has as yet obtained very little support, chiefly owing to the want of any completely satisfactory [4] explanation of the wonderful richness & variety of male colour, markings, & appendages, in birds, & butterflies, — whereas Darwin's explanation — granting constant, universal & effective female choice, & female appreciation of colour and ornament — is complete and satisfactory!

Your support is therefore the more welcome.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]