112 GAME BIRDS, WILD-FOWL AND SHORE BIRDS. 



only change the shades of the plumage more than once, but 

 often change the color and shape of the bill, the color of the 

 feet and that of the eye. The immature male may be any- 

 where in shape and color between the young of the first year 

 and the mature male. One specimen of a species may be 

 grayish brown and another brownish gray; or a bird may be 

 grayish brown before death and change to brownish gray after 

 death. The salmon-colored breast of a Merganser may, after 

 death, change to plain buff, and then fade several shades 

 after the specimen is mounted. 



In some of the Ducks of this group the male puts on an 

 " eclipse " plumage in summer, similar to that of the female; 

 in others this change has not been noted. The bright metallic 

 speculum is rare among these Ducks, but a white or gray 

 wing patch sometimes takes its place. There is so much 

 variation in the forms and plumages of individuals of the 

 same species, and so many changes take place soon after death 

 in the colors of the naked parts and in the tints of the feathers, 

 that no description can be fully adequate that does not in- 

 clude all the many changes in plumage and colors of parts, 

 taken from life, in the various individuals of different ages and 

 sexes. Careful notes taken from a large series of specimens 

 freshly killed might enable one to give fairly accurate descrip- 

 tions, but when dependence is placed on dried skins, as it 

 often is, many errors must occur. All that is attempted here 

 is to try to give in each case such an incomplete description 

 of the adult male and female as will serve, when used in con- 

 nection with the cuts, to identify the adults of each species, 

 and also to indicate in a general way how the young of the 

 first year differ from or resemble the parents. 



