ME. E. DEGEN ON ECDTSI8. 



361 



referring to the feather-changes in general, says : — " In the Widgeon, however, 

 and many other species, it will be found that the adult livery is obtained, in spring, 

 by an actual change of plumage, every feather being cast and renewed, except, of 

 course, the wing and tail-primaries i. And here it may be remarked that the two central 

 caudal feathers ^ which in all birds visibly differ from the rest, being of softer texture 



Text-fi?. 1. 



Young Parrakeet, showing the filamentous plumes (neossoptiles) carried on the tips of the new contour-feathers. 



and commonly of another colour, partake of the nature of the tectrices and wing- 

 coverts ^ and in double-moulting species are, like them, very usually shed and renewed 

 with the vernal renovation of clothing-plumage," &c., &c. 



Now, whether or not, Brehm, in his observation of Syrnium, using the general term 

 of " rectrices " (Steuerfedern), had in mind the two centrally situated caudals only, does 

 not appear ; in any case, it would seem that so far Blyth's observation of the value 



of these was fully confirmed. 



' The italics are mine. 



