by Mr. Claude Grant in South Africa. 2G9 



the birds taken at this time are in what Mr. Grant calls the 

 semi-adult stage, which I take to be a winter plumage. 



My recollections o£ the A^ery large series in the South- 

 African Museum also cod firm my belief that there is a 

 double moult, after and before the breeding-season. 



However^ the matter requires further careful investigation 

 by some observer in the field before a final conclusion can be 

 reached. 



[This series shews that the adult metallic plumage of the 

 male is retained throughout the year, there being only one 

 moult, which takes place after the breeding-season, in the 

 autumn mouths from March to May. The series of immature 

 males seems to shew that there are two complete plumages 

 before the adult stage is readied. 



1st. The first plumage. 



2nd. A semi-adult plumage with the tail (the central pair 

 of feathers also developed), wings, and rump as in the adult, 

 but only a few metallic feathers on the mantle and under 

 parts, which are otherwise as in the adult female. 



This plumage is assumed in the autumn and winter following 

 the nesting-season, that is to say, between the months of 

 March and June, though birds of a late brood may still be 

 found moulting in July and August. The full adult 

 feathering is then attained in the autumn and winter of the 

 second year, a complete moult again taking place, which is 

 completed by the end of August. Therefore some adult 

 males killed in October and November are less worn than 

 others ; these being the immature birds that have assumed 

 the metallic feathering during the previous autumn and 

 Avinter — that is to say, March to August. 



The following examples are in the collection : — 



(J, young. 20 March. — This bird is in full nu>ult, and is 

 assuming the metallic wings and tail of the adult, but both 

 dull and metallic feathers are replacing the young plumage 

 on the breast and mantle ; the head and throat not yet 

 shewing signs of moult. 



(^ , immature. 17 May. — This bird has almost completed 

 its moult, the wings, rump, and tail being as in the adult; 



SER. IX. VOL. v. u 



