CHAPTER ITI. 
COLORS OF BIRD§.* 
Tue almost endless range of variation in the colors 
and pattern of coloration of birds’ plumage has attracted 
the attention of many philosophic naturalists. Why, for 
example, should birds from some regions always be 
darker than those from other regions; why should 
ground-inhabiting birds generally wear a dull or neutral 
tinted costume; and why should the male, with few ex- 
ceptions, be brighter than the female? ~ 
For answer I will outline some of the leading facts 
and theories in connection with this interesting subject. 
In the first place, however, it will be necessary for us to 
have some idea of the extent of individual change in 
color, that is, the various phases of color, which a bird 
may pass through during different periods of its life.t 
* Consult Poulton, Colors of Animals (D. Appleton & Co.). Gadow, 
in Newton’s Dictionary of Birds—articles, Color and Feathers. Bed- 
dard, Animal Coloration (Macmillan Co.). Keeler, Evolution of the 
Colors of North American Land Birds: occasional papers, California 
Academy of Sciences (San Francisco), iii, 1893. Also Allen, reviews 
of last two works, The Auk (New York city), x, 1893. pp. 189-199, 
373-380. Allen, Alleged Changes of Color in the Feathers of Birds 
without Molting; Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural His- 
tory, New York city, viii, 1896. pp. 18-44. Chadbonrne, Individual 
Dichromatism in the Screech Owl; The Auk, xiii, 1896, pp. 321-825, 
and xiv, 1897, pp. 33-39, one plate. 
+ The term color, as here used, means practically the plumage or 
dress of birds. 
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