188 Zoological Notes, by Andrew Broth erston. 



ridibundus, Penn.), I examined, during the same month, ex- 

 amples of other three species of Gulls— including both sexes — 

 viz., the Common Gull (Z. canus, Linn.), the Great Black-backed 

 Gull (Z. marinus, Penn.), and the Herring Gull (Z. argentatus, 

 Bewick}. All of these were in various stages of change from 

 the winter to the breeding plumage. In some, the dark streaked 

 feathers which indicate the winter plumage on the head and 

 neck, were entirely shed, in others only partially ; but in every 

 case the change was clearly the result of moulting, If it is ad- 

 mitted that the assumption of the summer plumage on the head 

 by any species of Gull, is the result of a moult, I think it 

 necessarily follows that the change in others of the same genus 

 is most likely to be effected in the same manner. From ex- 

 perience, I find that many other species of birds — possibly all — 

 moult to a certain extent in the spring, especially about the head 

 and neck. There are several birds that apparently alter their 

 colour without a corresponding change of feathers, such as the 

 Chaffinch, Brambling, Starling, &c, but the change with them 

 is caused by the ends of the feathers becoming worn and rubbed 

 off. It is probable that feathers do sometimes change colour, 

 but I believe it will be confined principally to the large ones. If 

 members of the Club, who are interested in this subject, and 

 have the opportunity of obtaining specimens of the Black-headed 

 Gull, will examine any examples that they may come across, and 

 send a report of their observations to Mr Hardy, they would 

 help to settle this question, about which there is much difference 

 of opinion. In most seasons, the early part of March will be the 

 best time for making observations on them. 



