I q6 The Mutton-Bird Rookeries on Phillip Island. fifA"'! 



(Constable Dunn, of Cowes, and Constable O'Shannassy, of San 

 Remo) in plain clothes assiduously patrolled the various 

 rookeries during egging time. 



(6.) By way of conclusion, it may be mentioned that some 

 consternation was caused among the visitors by the discovery on 

 the west side of Wollomai of a vast number of old bird bones. 

 It has been explained that many years ago Chinese were 

 camped there, and were engaged in collecting Mutton-Birds for 

 oil. Such an eventuality could not occur again without a 

 permit. 



On behalf of the Council, 



D. Le Souef, 



Hon. Secretary Attst. O.U. 

 Melbourne, 21/1/03. 



On Certain Birds Changing Colour of Plumage 

 Without Mouhing. 



(Plate XI.) 

 By D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S. 



(Read be/ore Aust. O.U.., Melbourne Congress.^ i\st November, 1902. j 

 This is an interesting subject, and one that has lately been 

 combated, especially by our American cousins, so it is probable 

 that a few observations on the subject may be of interest and 

 lead others to study the matter. 



Many birds, when changing from their youthful plumage to 

 that of an adult, do so by the feathers by gradations changing ; 

 but they generally do so irregularly — that is, the feathers do not 

 all gradually change at exactly the same time, consequently 

 birds so changing often have a mottled appearance. This can be 

 noticed in many birds, such as some of the Birds of Paradise, 

 Pacific Gulls, &c., and is probably far more common than we 

 imagine ; but there are often difficulties in the way of proving 

 it, unless the birds are kept in confinement or killed when 

 changing their plumage. In consequence of the feathers 

 changing irregularly, you can generally get feathers in all stages 

 off one bird. 



For instance, I was keeping some Silver Pheasants, which 

 were changing from the youthful plumage to that of the adult, 

 in small enclosures, and as one of them died when about a year 

 old, I was enabled to procure feathers in all stages from its 

 wing, back, and breast. They are mounted and here for your 

 inspection this evening. 



The feathers in the various stages shown were all taken from 

 one young male, and you will notice that in the wing feathers 

 No. I on the left hand of the top row has changed but very 

 slightly, the markings just showing on the lower end ; in No. 2 



