218 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHANGES OF 



reus, Purple Bellied Parrot. I have had in my possession, for several 

 years past, a living bird of the first named species, and frequently seen 

 one of the latter in the cage of a friend. Both species moult in sum- 

 mer, and again in the months of February and March. The moult, 

 with the exception of the larger feathers in the tail and wings, was as 

 general in spring as in autumn. 



Emheriza oryzivora, Reed Bird. This species, which is so singular 

 in its habits and changes, passes under different names in various parts 

 of the country, referring either to its colour, food or song. In the 

 eastern states it is usually called Bob-Link, from its notes bearing a 

 fancied resemblance to those syllables. In New York I have heard the 

 farmers call it Skunk Bird, in consequence of its black breast and sides 

 and broad white streak on the back bearing a resemblance, in colour, 

 to that animal (Mejjhitis Jlmericana). In the middle states it is called 

 Reed Bird, in consequence of its feeding on the seeds of that plant {Zi- 

 zanid) ; and in the southern states the Rice Bird, from the extensive 

 depredations it commits on our rice fields; hence its specific name {Ory- 

 zivora). 



In autumn, the male of this bird, as is well known, lays aside its 

 black and white summer dress, not by a change of colour in the old 

 feathers, but by a thorough moulting, extending even to the large fea- 

 thers in the wings and tail. It now becomes of the plain colour of the 

 female. In this dress it continues till March, when it gradually changes 

 again, and in May is once more in full summer plumage. Mr Ord 

 states, from personal observation, on birds confined in cages, that "du- 

 ring the time the male is undergoing this metamorphosis, there is no 

 change of feathers, their colours being altogether the result of their 

 organic secretions." I have no positive evidence to prove that there 

 was any inaccuracy in his observations. These birds generally make 

 their appearance in Carolina from the 1st to the 10th of May, when 

 they have already attained full plumage. Having never kept them 

 during winter and spring, I am obliged to consider the examinations of 

 Mr Ord, in reference to this species, as conclusive. This will, then, 

 show that the Rice Bird is an exception to the general rule, and that, 

 whilst all our other known species that assume two distinct colours in 

 a year moult in spring as well as in autumn, the Rice Bird is an in- 



