curs in some of the most brilliant of
our birds--The interesting case of the phalaropes where the
role of the sexes is reversed--These facts point to an error in
the accepted opinion as to the secondary sexual
characters--Sexual adornments cannot be regarded as a necessary
and exclusive adjunct of the male--Prof. Lester Ward's
Gynaeocratic theory--Male efflorescence--Among the species in
which male differentiation has gone farthest the males are bad
fathers--Examples to prove this--The fathers devoid of
affection belong to the less intelligent species--The
conclusion--An extravagant growth of the secondary sexual
characters not favourable to the highest development of the
species--The most oppressed females the most faithful
wives--The highest development in the beautiful cases in which
the sexes are more alike, equal in capacity and co-operate
together in the race-work--Individual fancies of females--The
case of a female wild duck--Desire for sexual variety--Conjugal
fidelity modified by the conditions of life--Civilisation
depraves birds--General observations--Love the great creative
force.

CHAPTER V

COURTSHIP, MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY

I.--_Among the Birds and Mammals_

"The principle of 'divergence of character' pervades all nature,
from the lowest groups to the highest, as may be well seen in
the class of birds."--WALLACE.

A great step in advance is taken when we come to study the courtship
and sexual relationships of birds and mammals. There are many
examples, in particular among birds, of a beautiful and high standard
of love-morality. To the physical fondness of the sexes for one
another there is now added a wealth of what must be recognised as
psychical attraction, which finds its expression in many diverse ways.
We shall find all forms of sexual association, very similar to
marriage in the human species. There are temporary unions formed for
the purpose of procreation, after which the partners separate and
cease to care for one another. Polygamy is frequent, polyandry also
occurs, and there are many cases of absolute profligate promiscuity.
We shall, indeed, find the suggestion of all the sexual sins of
humanity, every form of coquetry, of love-battles, jealousy and the
like. There are as well many examples of monogamic unions lasting for
the lives of the partners. Thi