

ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF LAPLAND. 327 



remain long enough' on the fells this year to obtain 

 specimens myself to prove clearly how the autumn 

 change went on, but I hope to do so another 

 season. 



To sum up all, however, my present opinion 

 with regard to the change of plumage in the 

 ptarmigan is this that they moult three times 

 between March and November ; and, although this 

 opinion is given advisedly, it is grounded wholly 

 on the results of my own experience and close 

 examination of many specimens. I have never 

 yet spoken with any one on the subject who 

 appeared more competent than myself to give an 

 opinion, and as for the descriptions which I have 

 read of the different stages of plumage in the 

 ptarmigan, they are all far too general to be of 

 the slightest assistance in determining a question 

 which is of so much interest to the naturalist. If, 

 however, at a future day I should see good reason 

 to change my opinion, I shall be too happy to 

 convict myself; for, as some old writer quaintly 

 observes, "No one need be ashamed of owning 

 that he was wrong, which is only saying, C I am 

 wiser to-day than I was yesterday.' J 



Even in regard to the young birds of the year, 

 J have observed the new blue feathers shooting 

 out under the darker dress, as in the old ones ; 

 and if, as we have every reason to suppose, the 



