68 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



April, Full spring plumage ; on the back broad - barred 

 buff-and-black with terminal whitish spots or bars, the breast 

 flanks, chin, throat, and neck are similarly barred except on 

 the lower breast and abdomen which still retain the autumn - 

 winter plumage (see PL ix.). The legs and feet are poorly 

 feathered, but the claws are long. Sickly birds are still in full 

 autumn plumage with well-feathered legs. 



May. Full spring plumage. 



June. Full spring plumage, but now beginning to look 

 faded and worn; the bare nesting patch is noticeable in hens 

 that have been sitting. 



July. The spring plumage is now much faded, and the 

 feathers are dropping out. The rich dark autumn plumage is 

 beginning to appear on the chin and throat. The back and 

 flanks remain as before ; but the bare nesting patch is becoming 

 covered with new feathers. The wing feathers are beginning 

 to moult. The legs and feet are bare except in backward birds, 

 and the claws are mostly shed. 



August. The autumn feathers, dark red-brown with fine 

 transverse markings, has replaced the nesting plumage on the 

 under parts, but on the back there is still a mixture of spring 

 and autumn feathers. The legs and feet are beginning to show 

 new feathers. The claws have been shed, and the new nails 

 are small and soft. The wing feathers are still being moulted. 

 Backward birds are very noticeable owing to their faded spring 

 plumage, bare legs, and long claws. 



September. The breast and abdomen is in complete autumn 

 plumage, but on the chin, throat, and back there is still a mix- 

 ture of old and new feathers. The wing feathers have almost 

 completed their moult, and the legs are beginning to be 

 well feathered. 



October. The autumn moult is almost complete though a 

 few old feathers remain on the back neck, and throat ; the wing 

 and tail feathers are perfect and the feet well feathered. 



November. Autumn moult completed. 



December. Full autumn or autumn-winter plumage. 



