RELATION OF PLUMAGE TO OVARIAN CONDITION. 169 



in barring in males and females of the same strain is illustrated 

 in Figs. 2 and 3. This will be discussed later. 



The change in plumage between February and April denotes 

 of course, that a molt occurred during this period. As the 

 normal season for molting is in the fall, this is in itself a matter 

 of interest and implies some underlying physiological process. 

 In view of the close relation well known to exist between molting 

 and ovarian activities, it seems reasonable to suppose that the 

 bringing on of the molt at an unusual season, as well as the 

 modification of the character of the new plumage, was due to 

 changes in the ovary induced by the development of the patho- 

 logical condition to be described later. While the effect on the 

 character of the plumage is very likely the direct result of the 

 action of changed internal secretions from the sex gland, it seems 

 more probable that the molt is a secondary effect due to the 

 change in metabolism, since in general molting seems to be most 

 closely linked to metabolic conditions of the individual. This is 

 indicated by the fact that molting may at times be induced by 

 other conditions than changed sex-gland activity, such as change 

 of feed, injury, and other environmental influences. 



In other respects "Kansas 1050" was at that time rather 

 intermediate between the normal pullet and cockerel. The 

 head and comb were more like that of the pullet; shape and 

 carriage of the body were intermediate. Spurs were not de- 

 veloped. In general she may be said to have looked much like 

 a capon, a resemblance which was noted by a number of ob- 

 servers. 



"Kansas 1050" was brought to Madison in the fall of 1916 

 and was merely kept under observation all of that winter. Her 

 behavior 'during that time showed nothing of special interest, 

 and in so far as 'indications of sexuality were concerned was 

 practically indifferent. She seemed in excellent health and 

 "sang" a great deal, somewhat resembling a hen in this respect, 

 except that the voice had a peculiar more or less masculine 

 quality. She was never heard to crow. She showed no indica- 

 tions of laying, and it was suspected that she probably had an 

 ovarian tumor, which would account also for the plumage change. 

 Thinking that possibly the accessory sexual organs might be 



