Photo: "Our Common Sea Birds" (Country Life, Ltd.). 



The Puffin's beak is of singular appearance. After the breeding season its surface peels off in horny plates shed like 

 the deciduous bark of certain trees a process parallel to the moulting of the plumage. 



The throat of the House-Sparrow has a 

 very different appearance in summer (left- 

 hand figure) than in winter (right-hand 

 figure). This is due to abrasion; the light 

 tips of the feathers are shed in spring, thus 

 revealing the dark portions. 



Photo: James's Press Agency* 

 MAGPIE 



