122 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1896. 



the occasional extremely brilliant plumage of the male of the same 

 species, etc. The two latter instances may be considered as: 1. Partial 

 adoption of the characters of male plumage by the female; and 2. 

 Extreme development of color in the male probably due to excessive 

 vitality. 



Another complicated series of plumages pointed out by Mr. F. M. 

 Chapman® exists in the case of the Bobolink. In these birds there 

 arefour distinct plumages : 1. First Plumage. 2. Winter Plumage. 

 3. Early Spring Plumage. 4. Nuptial Plumage." This early spring 

 plumage is acquired by direct molt, and passes into the Nuptial 

 Plumage by an extensive abrasion of the differently colored tips. 



DIRECT CHANGE OF COLOR IN FEATHERS. 



There have always been, and are to-day, ornithologists who believe 

 thoroughly that feathers actually change their color, and that the 

 change from the winter plumage to the nuptial dress in some species is 

 accomplished solely in this manner without either molt or abrasion. 



Schlegel, one of the greatest exponents of this theory, considered 

 the phenomenon as nearly universal, and Gtitke, another of its staunch 

 supporters, seems to be of much the same mind. Other writers while 

 supporting it, have regarded it as of much less general application 

 and some consider it of very rare occurrence. 



If such a change actually does take place, it would seem strange 

 if it should not play a very important part in plumage-changes, 

 and, if we admit that it does occur in any species, we may as well 

 grant its possibility in a great number. 



The importance of the question warrants a very careful considera- 

 tion, and, in order not to be misunderstood, I may state at the out- 

 set that in spite of the instances that have been cited to illustrate 

 this phenomenon, I have not yet found a single case that cannot be 

 otherwise accounted for, and, cannot, therefore, admit that we have 

 any proof of an actual change of color in a feather apart from what 

 may be produced from abrasion or bleaching. 



In most instances which have been cited in support of this theory, 

 the writers have, it seems to me, fallen into the same error — i. e., 

 they have taken a series of specimens, showing all sorts of mottled 

 intergrades from one plumage to another, as indicating that each 



8 Auk, 1890, p. 120. 



® If we consider the birds of the year as recognizably distinct from the fall 

 adults we must regard "2" as First Winter Plumage and add "5". Adult 

 Winter Plumage. 



