308 DwiGHT, Plumages oj the Scoters. [july 



and deglandi on an average are whiter basally than are those of 

 nigra, fusca and americana. 



I find adult specimens showing the prenuptial moult both in 

 nigra and fusca. An adult of nigra (J. D., Jr., No. 14233 <^ ad. 

 mid-March, near Liibeck) shows new growth well advanced and 

 another nigra (Am. Mus., No. 26S93 cf ad., May 18, Havre) still 

 shows growth of new black feathers among rusty old black ones. 

 An adult specimen of fusca (J. D., Jr., No. 24553 cf ad., May 5, 

 Norway) shows chiefly rusty black feathers with new ones growing, 

 while in another bird (J. D., Jr., 14234 cf ad., June 8, Norway) 

 the growth seems to have ceased. It will be observed that the 

 prenuptial moult in American Scoters runs over in point of time 

 almost if not quite into the postnuptial and I really do not see 

 w^here an "eclipse" could come in, but I do see how "whitish 

 brown" feathers may well be found behind a fresh patch of "jet 

 black" without invoking the aid of an " eclipse." 



It is evident that Mr. Millais is in some doubt about it for he 

 pens the following regarding an "eclipse " in nigra, viz.: 



"The principal moult towards maturity commences in July when the 

 bird is one year old. A number of temporary brown feathers, which may 

 be called the first eclipse appear on the head and neck these being again 

 shed in late October." .... 



"Like all the Scoters the local common Scoter has only a shght eclipse 

 plumage if it may be so called. At the end of July a few dull brown 

 feathers appear on the cheeks and neck. Below the lores and on the throat 

 many of these feathers are of a dirty white color and it gives the old male a 

 certain resemblance to a female and for which they have doubtless been 

 mistaken. No author that I can discover mentions having seen this 

 eclipse plumage which is retained to late in the autumn but I have examined 

 two males killed in August in Iceland which exliibit tliis dress." 



It seems to me that the facts have been observed correctly but 

 interpreted wrongly. As I have stated before, the Scoters are 

 moulting practically throughout the whole year and to say where 

 one moult begins and another ends is not an easy matter. I have 

 endeavored to show when certain characters of plumage are acquired 

 and that the definite sequence in feather growth furnishes a key to 

 the age of specimens. Unless the age of specimens can be deter- 

 mined very little progress is possible in settling questions of moult 

 and plumage. 



