The Zoologist — January, 1867. 551 



same colour; the white edges of the gray wing-coverts have worn off, 

 and the feather is as the adult. This link consists in the mixture of 

 the first plumage and the first winter, which is — 



No. 5. First Winter. (In collection). — Bill and feet still black; 

 orbits of the same colour; eyes dark brown ; mouth yellow. The head 

 is coloured similarly, or nearly similarly, to the adult in winter ; the 

 back, scapulars and the tertials also as the adult. The dark band is 

 still on the neck, through the wing and on the tail. 



No. 6. First Spring. March, April and May. — During the past 

 winter the plumage has faded greatly, and these three months com- 

 pletely wear it out. The summer moult generally begins late in 

 March, April, or even not till May ; during these months it con- 

 fines itself chiefly to the back, shoulders and neck, and is very 

 gradual. 



No. 7. Second Summer. June 20th. (In collection). — Many new 

 feathers have come in the back and scapulars; the black band is gone 

 from the neck in many birds, though is still noticeable in others by 

 two or three feathers ; the head and neck are a faded addition of last 

 winter ; the black band through the wing is very worn and faded to a 

 rich brown ; the quills of wing and tail are much worn and faded, the 

 latter of course still banded at tip; the bill shows strong signs of 

 turning yellow ; the orbits and tips of a reddish brown ; mouth of a 

 yellow-orange; feet more of an olive-brown. 



No. 8. Link 3. Summer and Second Autumn Moult. — Without cessa- 

 tion the moult has been going on through June, July, and even August, 

 gradually. During these months the bird shows many different 

 appearances, by the predominance of the old or new feathers. The 

 primaries and tail are generally assumed last. Let the bird be as it 

 will, it cannot be mistaken for any other age. Should it have changed 

 plumage by July (which does not often happen) it may be known from 

 the two-year old bird by the greater amount of black on the false 

 wing and the primary coverts, and by the head being marked with 

 gray and the orbits dull red. 



No. 9. Second Winter. — Very similar to the adult in winter 

 plumage. May be known from it by having black on the bastard 

 wing and sometimes on the primary coverts. The feet also at this age 

 are of a much darker colour than the adults. The primary quills are 

 rather variable at this age. 



No. 10. Link 4. Second Spring. February and March. — The head 

 and neck turns white ; at this age generally by moult. 



