ON THE GRENADIER GROSBEAK. 173 
“during the other six months it is stripped of its 
gaudy attire, and adopts the modest garb of the 
female, which is at all times that of a greyish 
brown.” Now the animal economy of the individual 
under consideration confirmed the correctness of 
Barrow’s observations, as I was informed by Mr. 
Garside that it changed its feathers twice in the 
course of the year: the first moult occurred about 
May, when it acquired the splendid livery of the 
pairing-season, and the second in November, at 
which period its gay wedding-dress was laid aside 
for a homely suit of brown of various shades. In 
short, so complete was the metamorphosis (the bill 
itself undergoing a change of colour), that its specific 
identity would have been called in question by any 
person unacquainted with these particulars in its 
history. It is probable, therefore, that the black plu- 
mage on the throat may indicate maturity, or it may 
conveniently be ascribed to the influence of circum- 
stances which in our ignorance we term accidental. 
Another fact, tending to corroborate the opinion 
that this bird was a male, deserves consideration ; it 
had a song, and a most extraordinary one it was. 
Elevating the brilliant red feathers on the back of 
its neck, and raising itself on its perch till it as- 
sumed an attidude so perpendicular that it appeared 
to be in danger of falling backwards, it commenced 
its lay by uttering one or two sharp chirps, which 
were followed by.a chattering sound produced by the 
