222 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHANGES OF 



of birds, are frequently removed, and easily replaced. The feathers on 

 the breast of female Canary Birds, and most other species that I have 

 noticed, drop off during incubation, and are successively replaced du- 

 ring the season, at every time they recommence building their nests. 



On the spring moulting of water birds the following information has 

 been collected. 



In the spring of 1825 a specimen of our beautiful Fresh Water Rail 

 (Rallus elegans) was sent me from the country. It was so completely 

 in moult, that it could not be preserved as a specimen. The young 

 feathers came out in their full brightness. 



On the 7th of April 1835 1 examined several Shearwaters (lihincops 

 nigra). About one half of the birds were in the moult; the remain- 

 der still retained their winter dress and colours. 



On the 20th of April 1836 I procured three males of the Semi-pal- 

 mated Snipe (Tofanus semipalmatus). They were changing from 

 winter to summer plumage, and were moulting very extensively. 



Early in the month of May 1833 I saw a large string of Black Bel- 

 lied Plovers {Charadrius helveticiis) in the markets of New York, and 

 being desirous of obtaining some specimens for the cabinet, as this bird 

 has not arrived at full plumage in its spring passage along the sea shore 

 of Carolina, I found so many of them in fresh moult, and their young 

 feathers still sheathed, that it was difficult to find specimens suited to 

 my purpose. 



In September 1835 a Turnstone (Strepsilas interpres) was sent me 

 by a friend. It had been wounded and captured by his son, whilst in 

 its plain autumnal plumage. I entrusted it to a lady who fed it on 

 moistened corn meal, and on bread soaked in milk. It survived the 

 winter, and was in fine health on the following April, when it shed its 

 winter dress, and the new feathers, although not perfectly bright at 

 first, became so in three weeks. 



March 20th, 1837, saw about two dozen of the Ruddy Duck (Fuli- 

 giila rubida) in the Charleston market. All that I examined were 

 males. They were receiving their ruddy colour of spring, and were 

 moulting very extensively. 



March 21st, examined a Black Headed Gull (Larus atricilla). On 

 every part of the head the ash coloured feathers were becoming re- 



