333 Observations on the Cuckoo. 



above-mentioned traces of barred markings about the neck 

 and throat, which are observed in some individuals that are 

 shot in spring, I take to be the adult livery of the female 

 bird ; for I have never met with them except in this sex ; 

 and I have never noticed this sex to be without them, although 

 Mr. Selby says, " the female differs in no respect from the 

 male." Very old females, perhaps, do not. 



There is much which I am anxious to learn, and which I 

 believe is at present quite unknown to science, respecting cer- 

 tain changes of appearance which take place in the plumage 

 of many of our common birds ; and although, perhaps, a little 

 digressing from the subject in hand, I shall take the present 

 opportunity to propose one or two queries, which may possibly 

 stimulate some to attempt their solution. The young of the 

 common shrike (Lanius Collurio) moults all but the wing and 

 tail primaries almost immediately after it leaves the nest, and 

 acquires a second plumage very similar to the first, but closer 

 and more adult-looking in its texture, more inclining to rufous, 

 and having the bars upon the upper parts farther apart ; in 

 this state both sexes are alike, and one is figured by Bewick 

 for the adult female woodchat. When they arrive in spring, 

 all are in mature plumage; and I wish, therefore, to know 

 whether they moult again in the interim, or whether their 

 plumage undergoes a gradual change of colour ? I have rea- 

 son to believe the former. But do the old birds also acquire 

 in autumn a winter plumage, similar to that of the young ? I 

 suspect not; but, if not, do they also moult in spring? The 

 young willow wrens and chiff-chaffs, also (I do not know the 

 young wood wren), are at first very like the old birds; but, 

 at the autumnal moult, whilst the adults acquire a plumage 

 very similar to that which they throw off, the young of the 

 year assume a livery of much brighter yellow: yet all are 

 alike when they reappear in spring. Now, do the young of these 

 species moult again during their stay abroad, or gradually 

 change their colour? And, if these moult, do not the old 

 birds also undergo a vernal change ? for I can hardly conceive 

 that so great a call upon the system should be exclusively con- 

 fined to the young. The best way of ascertaining the facts would 

 be by keeping the birds for some time in confinement ; but 

 it is necessary, I think, here, to guard the more inexperienced 

 enquirer against what might possibly prove a source of error: 

 insectivorous birds, in confinement, are very apt to lose, during 

 the winter, a considerable number of feathers, from disease and 

 other causes ; and these, early in spring (generally about Fe- 

 bruary), are redeveloped so simultaneously all over the body, 

 as to present the appearance of a vernal change of plumage : 



