SUMMER LIVERIES 315 



of ' eclipse ' plumage. The wedding feathers of the male 

 are very splendid. The green is more brilliant than the 

 laurel leaves, and the white flashes stand out more distinct 

 on wing and neck than sprays of bloom. Head and wing, 

 and breast and back are all burnished. Male and female 

 might be members of different species. With the growth of 

 fine feathers he is strong on the wing, and enjoys long bouts 

 of flight. But the duck nests early ; and when summer 

 comes the young are already capable movers. The mallard 

 then suffers a sort of collapse. He moults in thorough 



fashion. His fine feathers drop, and with this loss he loses 

 power of wing. It may be, it is the theory, though one can- 

 not tell, that the loss of colour is a protection necessary to a 

 creature that has lost vigour. The mallard, being more or 

 less helpless, skulks, and must hide as best he may, in beds 

 of reed and rush. He must use his webbed feet instead of 

 his tough wings. So now he becomes almost the double of 

 his mate, and they remain in this likeness till the autumn is 

 on its way. 



In all these changes are many mysteries. Volumes 

 have been written about the meaning of the change and 

 about the process ; but for most of us the fact is enough. 

 The tide of energy rises and sinks ; till the heyday of the 

 year the males 'play the peacock,' as indeed do the 

 flowers. Nevertheless, the puzzle is attractive. For a little 



