MOULTING. 



17 



first mentioned, as applying to the subject in its most enlarged 

 scale ; but with regard to the minor and more superficial points, 

 there are many works upon general ornithology, as well as upon 

 that of our own islands, which I would particularly recommend 

 — such as Dr Latham's 'General Synopsis' and 'Index 

 Ornithologian ; ' the ' Ornithological Dictionary' and ' Supple- 

 ment ' of Montague, the ' Manuel d' Ornithologie ' of M. 

 Temnick, the ornithological works of Brisson, Le Vaillant, 

 Vieillot, Sesson, &c. Of the German writers, Meyer, Bechstein, 

 and Illiger will be found of eminent use. And for an in- 

 structive individual history of each species, the 'Ornithology' 

 of Willoughby; White's 'Natural History of Selborne ; ' the 

 works of Pennant, and the ' British Birds of Bewick,' will repay 

 perusal." 



In giving such an extensive list of authors, I do so for the 

 purpose of giving my readers a key by which they may open the 

 door that leads into the study of this pleasant branch of Natural 

 History. 



Moulting. 



In the course of description, tiie terms "vernal" and 

 " autumnal " moult may occur, which it may be necessary to 

 explain. The autumnal moult is the annual change of plumage 

 to which all birds are liable, and which usually takes place in 

 autumn after propagation. I may remark, however, that the 

 swallows and a few others do not moult till January or February. 



The vernal, or spring moult, is the partial change that some 

 species undergo, especially the males, at the pairing or courting 

 season — which livery of love, so to speak, remains during the 

 propagation period only. 



In some birds, the golden plover for instance, the colour of 

 plumage is very much changed — the throat and breast become 

 black in summer, instead of the mottled golden hue of the rest 

 of the year. 



Such birds as the male chaffinch and rose linnet increase in 

 brilliancy of plumage when the ever-returning period of court- 

 ship and love takes place, when the throats of our sylvan 

 songsters ring forth their cheerful notes at this busy and 

 interesting time of the year — when the bracken and the broom, 

 the hedges and the trees, begin to assume their lovely livery of 

 green — for Nature herself pays universal homage to the all-per- 



