147 
Very few of this species remain in the plains of India during 
the summer, and these few only in the extrenre North West. 
The specimens usually seen in museums, and all those con- 
tained in my own collection, (with the exception of two old 
birds killed from the nest) have been obtained in November, 
December, January, or February; hence the connecting links 
between the various stages, the changes from one to the other 
of which, probably take place during the summer, are alto- 
gether wanting. 
There are four very distinct stages of plumage, each of which 
is represented in my collection by from ten to twelve specimens, 
and of each stage there are specimens, killed, from early in 
November, to the beginning of March, and that, without the 
latest killed specimens of any stage, exhibiting any marked ap- 
proach to the plumage of any other stage. In fact, during 
these winter months, the plumage of each stage appears to 
remain nearly stationary. There are variations in each, but 
these cannot in any way be chronologically connected; for in- 
stance, one bird of a particular stage will be observed in some 
respect to approximate to the plumage of some other stage; 
while other birds belonging to the first mentioned stage, killed 
both earlier and later than the individual specimen referred to, 
less nearly approximate to the said other stage. 
One thing is certain, namely, that if all these four forms are 
really, as seems probable, stages of one and the same species, 
they each represent a year, in the bird’s growth; but till speci- 
mens are obtained, killed during the summer months, or until 
young ones are brought up in captivity, and the changes of 
their plumage carefully noted, I do not see how these matters 
can be definitely settled. 
From certain indications, observable in some of my birds, I 
think I know which are the third and fourth stages; but in 
regard to the other two, I am somewhat doubtful which is the 
earlier. 
I will briefly describe them in the order in which I believe 
they should be placed. 
Ist. The general character of this stage is lineated. The . 
under parts, with broader, or narrower pale centres to the fea- 
thers, and the upper parts, with pale central stripes. What I 
take to be the earliest form of this stage has the head and nape, 
brown ; the feathers tipped, and margined, with pale yellowish 
brown. The upper back scapulars, and lesser wing coverts, 
darker brown, most of them showing faint traces of paler cen- 
tres, and tips; and some faintly margined slightly paler. 
The lower back is buffy, a patch on the rump being mottled 
