194 



seen in the photograph, and will, I hope, soon grow np again 

 and once more cover the, at present, somewhat hare-looking roof. 

 This account of the means by which I believe I have 

 dodged the wily rodent may be of use to some of our members, 

 and therefore I give this short description of the aviary as it is at 

 present, when it is quite free from mice, a condition which I 

 hope will continue. 



IWotes on the Hssumptioii of Seasonal plumaae 

 in ©range Bishop- 



By F. Howe. 



In the May number of Bird Notes our Editor asks for 

 notes on the change of plumage in Weavers. I have often seen 

 it stated in works on Foreign Birds that the change is brought 

 about by a growth of colour in the plumage itself, and not by a 

 moult. Our Editor instances the Madagascar Weaver. Of this- 

 species I can say nothing, for although I have at times possessed 

 several specimens, they were so wild (in cages) that I was soon 

 glad to get rid of them. 



But with regard to the Orange Weaver or Bishop, I have 

 found that with every specimen I have kept, the change of 

 colour, either to summer or winter plumage, has been brought 

 about by a moult. This was also the case with two Grenadier 

 Weavers I have possessed. 



It may at first seem strange that these changes have not 

 been noticed before by those who have kept any of the Weaver 

 family. But as Weavers are geneially kept in aviaries — perhaps 

 to give them opportunities of nest-weaving — it is the more 

 difficult to properly observe the mode of transformation from 

 winter to nuptial plumage. It is therefore not at all surprising 

 that this matter has not yet been satisfactorily cleared up. 



One well-known writer states that "the change takes 

 place by the tips of the brown feathers changing colour, and a 

 multitude of small tinted feathers growing between the old 

 feathers." Does it not seem strange that a " multitude of small 

 feathers " should grow betzveen the old ones ? New feathers are 

 not so produced ! 



