768 



Birds of Celebes: Charadriidae. 



Moult. Of the above Celebesian examples: two (d, e) killed late in January are groTsaug 

 fresh primaries, \\z. all but the first ones (the outermost] in each wing are new, the 

 second ones just sprouting; thi-ee (a^ b, c) killed in April have new and perfect 

 remiges, but are changing the contour feathers of the upper-parts; under-parts in 

 siuumer dress; one (o), dated P' July, has the foui- outermost primaries new (the first 

 growing), the succeeding two or three inner ones old, as perhaps others; the upper- 

 parts mostly with new winter feathers ; one, dated 28"' July, is in much the same con- 

 dition as the last, the two outermost primaries on one side, the three outermost on 

 the other, being new; both specimens in full winter dress below; one (f), August- 

 September, is a bttle more advanced than the last; one (r), 2"^ November, is in nearly 

 complete winter dress, the primaries are new but many not full grown, some of the 

 secondaries and tertiaries seem to be old. 



The above seem to be adult birds. The inference is that winter di-ess is 

 assumed on the under-parts before July; that winter dress is assumed on the upper- 

 parts from July to September; that breeding plumage on the undei'-parts makes its 

 appearance before April; that the upper-parts assume breeding plumage about April; 

 that the primaries are moulted from July and earlier till September, the vAng being 

 probably complete in November — December, but, as we have sjjecimens assiuuing fresh 

 outer primaries at the end of January, we are undecided as to whether the bird sheds 

 its quills twice or only once a year, in the latter case the process lasting over several 

 months. (See, also. Young.) 

 They are not known to differ. 



Two specimens (g, s, supra) which we take for birds of the year, are like the adult 

 in summer plumage. One of these two killed on 5"^ November is still in plumage 

 of the breeding type below and only commencing to assume winter plumage above, 

 whereas those which we take for adults are in winter dress below (partly above) as 



Sexes. 

 Young? 



