368 The Zoologist — September, 18(56. 



brown. Rest are generally blue ; the 8lh with a black tip. (In col- 

 lection.) 



No. 6. The above plumage continues till February, when the base 

 of the bill and the feet turn an earthy red colour. 



No. 7. Link 3. First Spring. — March. Head in moult only. The 

 hood sprouts through the white feathers; the bill and feet turn a dull 

 carmine-red ; the band through the wing is rather broken and faded. 

 (In collection.) 



No. 8 A. Second Sutntner. — May. The dark brown hood is assumed ; 

 it is not so deep down the throat as in the adult. Feet arterial blood- 

 red; bill, the same, except at tip murky. Bar through wing and the 

 rest of plumage as in first winter. 



No. 8 B. August. Hood faded to mouse-colour. Bill and feet 

 bright carmine. Band through wing still, but very broken, and with 

 many new blue feathers through it. Rest of the plumage a worn addi- 

 tion of first winter. (In collection.) 



No. 9. Link 4. Second Autumn Moult. — Begins often in July, 

 though generally August. The whole plumage, quills and tail are 

 renewed by moult, duration of which varies. The brown hood is 

 sometimes lost first, nearly assimilating the bird to that of first winter. 

 Feet and bill sufficient diagnosis. When the moult is complete the 

 bird is in — 



No. 10 a. Second Winter. — November. Same as the adult in winter, 

 hereafter to be described, but the feet and bill are pale scarlet or 

 sealing-wa.v colour, and the latter always black at tip. Bastard wing, 

 and some of primary coverts generally, strongly marked with black 

 and gray, invariably shaded with gray. (In collection.) 



No. 10 B. February. Legs and bill scarlet and carmine. 



No. 11. Link 6. Second Spring. — March. Assumes the hood by 

 moult. Feet and bill a deeper colour. 



No. 12 a. Third Summer. — May. As the adult in summer. The 

 only difference that the bastard wing and sometimes some of the 

 primary coverts are marked with black and gray, often very faded. 

 (In collection.) The testicles of the male not larger than those of the 

 breeding blackbird, one nearly invariably lead-colour : the ova, though 

 not necessarily uniform, are deficient in development and veins; by 

 the microscope no loss can be detected. Testicles of the adult 

 frequently one inch long, developed, cream-colour, veinous. In the 

 female the ripe ova contain the yelk, or eggs have been detached. In 

 June the examinations are more conclusive as regards the female ; the 



