MR. E. DEGEN ON ECDTSIS, 3S3 



The renewal of median covert 4, which is the next stage, as a rule corresponds with 

 that of remiges VI. and VII. To this condition, specimens Nos. 7 (right side), 

 ]0 (both sides), 11 (both sides), and also 15 testify very clearly. 



At this stage the 5th median covert is frequently shed also, preparatory for its 

 speedy replacement, though in the majority of cases its moult corresponds with that 

 of primary VII., as does also median covert 6, whose moult rapidly follows that of the 

 5th of this series. 



The morphological features for the coverts of the outer section, or distad area, are as 

 follows : — Dorsal median-covert 7 is renewed when the synonymous coverts 2 and 3 of 

 the inner section are formed — that is to say, in advance by one place of remiges V. 

 and VI. under moult (see diagr. Table V. fig. 1, referring to right side of specimen 

 No. 5). Synchronous with the formation of medians 1-4, the 8th also follows on in 

 rapid succession to the 7th. This is well marked in specimens Nos. 7 (Table V. fif. 2 

 of diagr.) and 10 (both on right side). At the time of the formation of medians 5 

 and 6, the last two to moult of the proximal area, the 9th and the 10th or last 

 coverts of the distal area are also developed in rapid succession of each other. This 

 phase corresponds with that constituting the renewal of remex VIII. 



In this manner, then, the moult of the medians forming the outer section is invariably 

 accomplished considerably in advance of their corresponding remiges VIII., IX., 

 and X. This is particularly noticeable in those specimens which partake of the later 

 stages of the perennial moult. These are Nos. 15-24, but especially is this the case 

 in No. 11 with its 5th covert just shed, and which, by still retaining the old covert 6 

 on the right, also shows coverts 7, 8, 9, and 10 in a state of complete renewal. This 

 typical case for the relative position of the moult of these coverts is seen in the 

 diagrams of Table V. specimen No. 7 (fig. 2) and No. 11 (fig. 3). 



In birds of the season, however, the mode of renewal for the feathers of this series 

 is a simultaneous one still, the same as it is for the fledgling. This is seen in Nos. 2, 12 

 and 14 — birds which are undergoing their first autumn moult in the season in which they 

 were hatched. Specimen No. 12 in Table V. fig. 4 shows this particular condition. 



Cubital Portion. — The median coverts of this portion of the wing evince a strono" 

 tendency not only for keeping pace with the moult of their respective remiges, but 

 actually preceding them, though not to such an extent as in the case of the major 

 coverts, of which latter they are, therefore, in arrear. This is not only noticeable in 

 the case of the young individuals to which the embryonic condition for simultaneous 

 moulting applies, analogous to that of the major coverts, but a similarly accelerated 

 appearance of this series is seen to take place when the series is broken up, in order 

 to moult in groups, which is the ultimate adoption of renewal in the mature bird. 

 The transition from the former to the latter is effected by various intermediary 

 stages, which lead up to the same grouping-system as that of the remiges, viz. their 

 subsequent alternate direction of moult. 



