Samantha Hughes

NSET 110
Professor Long
27 August 2016

Coots A Scientific Case Study: Part 1

1. What qualities must the male birds possessed in order for the female to select their male
breeding partner? What kind of physical appearances must the chicks have in order for
the parents to decide which chick is the prettiest?
2. The Canadian biologists speculated that the plumage may make some chicks more
attractive to their parents; possibly the most attractive chicks might be able to
successfully beg for more food from their parents and have a better chance of survival
(Herreid, pg. 1).
3. According to the article, sometimes one-half of all chicks died from starvation
(Herreid, pg. 1).
4. The hypothesis can be tested out by using three chicks and changing the appearances of
each chick. The first chick could be given a haircut. The second chick could be dyed a
different color. The third chick could be left the same with the bright red head and red
papillae surrounding their eyes.