1022 



DU. E. A. WILSON' OX THE 



[June 14, 



The following is an analysis of the greater part of the collection 

 of skins : — 



Having thus sorted the .skins into lots whicli are sufficiently 

 uniform to allow of comparison, and having arranged one of 

 these lots, the cocks in their winter-plumage, for instance, 

 according to the locality from which they were obtained, it 

 becomes possible to make the following general deductions : — 



1. That the general uniformity is very much more marked than 



might have been expected considering the character for 

 variability which has always been attributed to the bird ; 

 the variability is lost in the mass, though it is visible in 

 individuals. 



2. That, allowing for a good many exceptions, there is certainly a 



greater tondcncy to blackne.ss in the birds of the northern 

 Highlands than in those of the .south. 



Or, one may .say that in pa.s.sing from the north of 



