VOL. XV.] SURFACE-FEEDING DUCKS. 133 



Young males seldom get the full plumage before the end of 

 November or December and the elongated central tail-feathers 

 seem to be the last of the nuptial plumage to appear. In 

 spring the dark brown colour of the head and the yellowish 

 tinge of the feathers of the sides of the anal region fade, giving 

 the former a paler brown and the latter a more whitish colour. 

 From the nuptial plumage the thirteen to fourteen months 

 old bird goes into first post-nuptial (eclipse) plumage, which it 

 commences to lose again in October to November, acquiring by 

 an incomplete moult— of course not moulting the flight-feathers 

 again as in summer— a second nuptial plumage. After this 

 there is an annual complete and an annual incomplete moult. 



The eclipse plumage of the male Pintail does not show 

 so much variation as that of the male Teal. There is m this 

 reversion plumage a type that is broadly barred, not at all 

 unlike the first juvenile plumage of the male, while another 

 coarsely and duskily vermiculated type seems to represent 

 a more advanced stage, its feathers being reminiscent of 

 those of the disappearing second juvenile plumage. 



(Number of specimens examined : Coll. E.L.S., 270. 

 Univ. Zool. Mus., Copenhagen, 51.) 



The Garganey [Anas querquedula) . 

 Female— Down. First juvenile plumage. In this plu- 

 mage most young Garganey leave their breeding places 

 (in Denmark). I have not seen a second juvenile plumage, 

 but young females in spring have a first nuptial plumage 

 which is a mixture of a former— not first juvenile plumage— 

 and first breeding plumage, easily distinguishable from the 

 breeding plumage of two-year-old or older birds. This makes 

 it probable that a second juvenile plumage exists as m leal 

 and others. From first nuptial plumage the bird by a 

 complete moult goes into first post-nuptial (eclipse) plumage 

 easily distinguishable from the breeding plumage by its much 

 darker tone As soon as the post-nuptial plumage is com- 

 pleted the female Garganey leaves Denmark and returns 

 late in March or early in April, some a week or ten days 

 later in full breeding or second nuptial plumage. After this 

 there are two annual moults as in the preceding species. 



Male— The moult is probably very nearly the same as 

 that of the female. I am unable to say whether traces of 

 a second juvenile plumage are found, as I have not been 

 able to examine specimens in transition plumage. 



(Number of specimens examined : Coll. E.L.S., 91. Umv. 

 Zool. Mus., Copenhagen, 13.) 



