. The Zoologist — February, 1868. 1087 



In autumn the whole plumage is renewed by moult ; the old skin or 

 cuticle of the feet falls off, and is replaced by that bearing the winter 

 colour. 



I cannot conclude this letter without some remarks on the careless 

 way that publishing naturalists describe the feet, bill, and other fading 

 parts of birds. An hour will make a difference in the bloom, a day 

 destroy the colour of these parts. It is, therefore, necessary to note at 

 once the colour of the feet, bill, irides, orbits, mouth, cere, &c, of 

 whatever bird is for description. Do not trust it to memory or even 

 to words, if possible paint it. I use a few water colours in a little tin 

 box, with a white enamelled pallet — quite light and portable ; so I can 

 defy any fish or bird to make a fool of me by changing colour. 1 am 

 sorry to say I think most writers either copy each other, or describe 

 these parts from a dried skin, making calculations for change of colour ; 

 or else they describe immature as adult birds. Supposing that I am a 

 young beginner in Natural History, and seek information with avidity, 

 I want the colour of the feet of the adult common gull, I own a lot of 

 " good " works on Natural History, I refer to them and the following 

 is all I learn : — 



Latham, Syn. Birds. Legs (!) dull greenish white. 



Pennant, Brit. Zool. Legs (!) dull white, tinged with green. 



Montagu, Orn. Diet. Legs(!) dull white or tinged with green. 



Newman's Montagu. Same. 



Macgillivray, Brit. Birds. Winter. Feet deep green-gray. (No 

 account of the summer given). 



Jenyns, Brit. Vert. Winter, legs(!) greenish gray, the webs 

 blotched with yellowish. Summer, legs pale ochre-yellow, spotted 

 with bluish ash (fourth summer). 



Atkinsons Compendium. None. 



Johifs Brit. Birds. Feet greenish ash (fourth winter). 



Thompson, Nat. Hist,, Ireland. Tarsi and toes brilliant yellow. 

 (In other parts this clever author falls into error by making his birds 

 adult too soon). 



Jardine. Greenish gray. 



Yarrell. Dark greenish ash. 



Notes by the Author. — Of course being ignorant I should follow the 

 majority and be led astray. These errors may arise from the habit of 

 quoting, or from, making an account when the part has changed colour, 



