274 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vi. 



and reproduced a representative selection of the 

 scapidar-feathers of an adult male Barrow's Golden- 

 eye, an adult male Common Goldeneye, and a young 

 male Common Golclenej^e. I can only regret that 

 feathers from a young male Barrow's Goldeneye are 

 not available. 



The elongated portion of the feathers is formed by the 

 rami, and in none of the feathers that I have examined 

 is the rhachis elongated. It will be noted that the 

 elongations are sometimes on one side of the feather and 

 sometimes on the other, and sometimes on both. In the 

 specimen from ^\'hich these feathers were taken the 

 longest scapulars (i.e. those nearest the rump) on each side 

 had two " horns," but I find that in some specimens 

 the longest feathers have but one " horn." 



It is obvious by the even rounded shape of the white 

 portion and by the fact that the rhachis is not projecting, 

 that the pecuhar shape of these feathers is not due to 

 wear, as was suggested by Dr. Jeffries ; moreover, Mr. 

 Grant notes that new feathers still Mith a sheath are 

 so shaped. 



In comparing these feathers with those taken from 

 similar positions in the scapulars of the adult male 

 Common Goldeneye (see middle row in figure) it will be 

 noted that the latter differ in being much longer and 

 narrower as well as in their lack of " horns." 



In the young male Common Goldeneye (presumably in 

 its first year) when it is moulting from a female-like 

 plumage into one much resembling that of the adult 

 male, the black and white scapulars differ from those 

 of the adult in being somewhat broader in shape, in 

 having less white (especially note the tips), and in haying 

 the black of a less intense jet-colour. 



Another distinction between the Uvo species Mas 

 pointed out by Mr. Menteith Ogilvie (Bvll. B.O.C., 

 XXXI., p. 10). This is a " boss," which is present in 

 Barrow's Goldeneye on the anterior portion of the frontal 

 bone. In the Common Goldeneye. or the other hand. 



