112 GAME BIRDS, WILD-FOWL AND SHORE BIRDS. 



only change the shades of the plumage more than once, but 

 often change the color and shape of the bill, the color of the 

 feet and that of the eye. The immature male may be any- 

 where in shape and color between the young of the first year 

 and the mature male. One specimen of a species may be 

 grayish brown and another brownish gray; or a bird may be 

 grayish brown before death and change to brownish gray after 

 death. The salmon-colored breast of a Merganser may, after 

 death, change to plain buff, and then fade several shades 

 after the specimen is mounted. 



In most of the Ducks of this group, and probably in all, the 

 male puts on an "eclipse" plumage in summer, similar in many 

 respects to that of the female. The bright metallic speculum 

 is rare among these Ducks, but a white or gray wing patch 

 sometimes takes its place. There is so much variation in the 

 forms and plumages of individuals of the same species, and so 

 many changes take place soon after death in the colors of the 

 naked parts and even in the tints of some feathers, that no 

 description can be fully adequate that does not include all the 

 many changes in plumage and colors of parts, taken from life, 

 in the various individuals of different ages and sexes. Careful 

 notes taken from a large series of specimens freshly killed might 

 enable one to give fairly accurate descriptions, but when 

 dependence is placed on dried skins, as it often is, many errors 

 nuist occur. All that is attempted here is to try to give in each 

 case such an incomplete description of the adult male and 

 female as will serve, when used in connection with the cuts, to 

 identify the adults of each species, and also to indicate in a 

 general way how the young of the first year differ from or 

 resemble the parents. 



