42 The Bird 



37). This is also the winter plumage of the adult birds, 

 both sexes moulting alike into the rich-hued breeding 

 plumage (Fig. 38) of yellow, chocolate, and silver-gray. 



The feathers of the entire bird are moulted or fall out 

 naturally at least once a year, and in some cases twice 

 or even three times. If we were asked at what season the 



Fig. 26. — Flight-feathers of Chimney Swift clogged with soot, showing necessity 



for moulting. 



principal annual moult would be most likely to occur, 

 the fall of the year would suggest itself, and such is the 

 case, for a number of good reasons. 



First, the hardest work which birds have to do, hatch- 

 ing and caring for their young, has, at this season of the 

 year, just been accomplished, and has doubtless told 

 heavily on their plumage. Breast-feathers are worn thin, 

 tails are badly frayed, and wing-j^inions are broken and 

 ragged. Two alternatives confront birds at this period. 

 Those species which are to take their migrator}'- flight 



