2120 The Zoologist— May, 1870. 



birds than others, but this does not materially affect the question. 

 My account of the pliiiDage of this bird (S. S. 549) is perfectly 

 correct, but a year less than I now make the kittiwake immature. I 

 have also erred in a way only too common amongst naturalists — that 

 is, in terseness ; in fact, when I wrote this paper I thought I was 

 drawing it out too long, but 1 find that I did not write enough. I am 

 of opinion now that the monthly plumages of the gulls should be 

 written, to carry the plumages in one unbroken series of dissolving 

 views from immaturity to age. "Dissolving" is by no means an inapt 

 term to apply to their plumages, for fading and rejuvenating has a 

 great deal to say to the transfigurations the gulls go through. As I 

 find the subject is interesting to some I will give some notes on the 

 immediate point at issue. 



At S. S. 548, it will be seen by my synopsis of the phnnage that I 

 have given no colour for the feet till the second winter. I did this 

 because it would be almost useless to give any determined colour 

 before, and even at that age. After the autumnal moult the feet 

 gradually change from black to primrose-colour, shading to 

 brown. 



At S. S. 549, No. 3, represents first plumage — that is, when the 

 bird first takes wing, and after the hairs and down drop off the tips of 

 the feathers. The feet at this time are distinctly and decidedly 

 black, as is also the bill. 



Passing No. 4, we come to No. 5, first winter : " Bill and feet still 

 black." Correct as far as the season goes, say till December. It is 

 here my shortcoming begins. I omit the feet and the bill of the 

 spring half of first winter, which I should have given as — First 

 Winter, B. Sometimes from December, as often from January, the feet 

 show decidedly greenish gray, — an almost indescribable tint, — which 

 as the spring advances becomes more determined in its pale primrose- 

 colour cast. The bill at the same time shows evident traces of the 

 dissolution of the black, the grayish yellow appearing like clouds in 

 amber, gradually advancing in strength, till in March and often sooner 

 it is perfectly tortoiseshelled, if I may make the word, with the two 

 colours, black and sickly yellow. 



In my plumage No. 6, first spring, I have culpably omitted both 

 bill and feet colouring. I cannot, of course, be accused of ignorance 

 in this respect, as the kittiwake, I am sorry to say, far, far too often 

 meets my view, shot in scores at every season — for perhaps a more 

 persecuted creature docs not exist. 



