72 



1'AMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



become lighter in colour; and advancing in age, the neck all 

 round becomes white, tinged with yellow, the head remain- 

 ing of the same colour as the back." 



There is very little perceptible difference in the plumage 

 of the different sexes. 



These birds are said to begin breeding when one year 

 old, which accounts for the variety of plumage found at 

 one and the same time at some of their breeding" stations. 



