TUB MOtLTING OF IMHIIS. 297 



Now wo cannot but consider this succession of moultings ;in 

 at variance with the remarks of the Rev. Mr Whitear, on tin- 

 Larva ridibvndus; for the latter natnralisl does not tell us, 

 that there was a uniformity of hue in the same feather; but 

 on the contrary, that "the same feather retained some of the 

 brown of the imperfeel bird, together with the light blu< 

 colour of the adult state:" ami that -the two colours prevail- 

 ed in various degrees." 



But why resort to all these conjectures to account for a 

 supposed succession of plumage, when it i- admitted that a 

 change of colour may take place independent of moulting? 

 In the greater part of those 1 >i rcls whose colours are uniform 

 throughout the year, naturalists admil but of one moulting. 

 Is there any physical necessity, then, for two moultings in 

 the course of a year? — or even three, as some pretend? I 

 know of none. 



Montagu inform- us. that he had k< pt a Herring Gull tor 

 several years, for the purpose of witnessing its change of plu- 

 mage. This naturalist had previously asserted, that he had 

 u no conception of the feathers themselves changing coloi . 

 hence, when a change was perceptible, he n 11- i;-. that ■• the 

 partial spring moulting of his Herring Gull commenced aboul 

 the middle of February ;■:" a Man in which all animals, in 

 climate- like our-, require an abundant nrpply of clothing, to 

 obviate the effects of those vicissitudes >f weather, to which 

 they are constantly exposed. Montagu v. rver; 



and hail hi- mind not been under the influence of a tie i\. 

 we an- persuaded th.it he would have endeavoured i i . 

 tain, whether the winter change of hi- Gull was the n rait of 

 moulting or not. Nature administers liberal!} to tin want* 

 of lur en atures, having a due i md circum- 



stances. Tli'—' animal- whieh p ■■-< 38 the means of ini_i.il 

 ing from cold to temperate climates, arc not a- abundantly 

 provided with clothing as those which are compelled to re- 



* Introduction to the • Imitholo [ical I ' 

 t Supplement to the Ornithological I * i ■ I 



VOL. III. 4 F 



