108 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



when in bird No. 3 (see Fig. 2) new feathers were observed 

 to be sprouting in the supra-orbital area and under the 



FIG. 2. —BLACK-HEADED GULL, NO. 3, ON MARCH 29TH. 



The black dots represent new black feathers, the papillae of which are just appearing 

 beneath the skin. The rami of the white feathers under the chin are dropping 

 off, together with the downy plumules at the base, leaving the calamus with a 

 few worn rami still adherent. 



chin, when the old feathers were losing the rami at their 

 bases, giving the bird a bedraggled appearance in that 



FIG. 3. — BLACK-HEADED GULL, NO. 3, ON APRIL 5TH. 



New feathers are appearing in great quantities under the chin, where they have 

 reached the length shown. Numerous white feathers are appearing on the nape 

 of the neck. 



region. 'On April 5th new feathers were coming more 

 thickly in the same regions, and in addition they were 



