ON THE OKNITHOLOGY OF LAPLAND. 327 



remain long enough on the fells this year to obtain 

 specimens myself to prove clearly how the autumn 

 change went on, but I hope to do so another 

 season. 



To sum up all, however, my present opinion 

 with regard to the change of plumage in the 

 ptarmigan is this — that they moult three times 

 between March and November ; and, although this 

 opinion is given advisedly, it is grounded wholly 

 on the results of my own experience and close 

 examination of many specimens. I have never 

 yet spoken with any one on the subject who 

 appeared more competent than myself to give an 

 opinion, and as for the descriptions which I have 

 read of the different stages of plumage in the 

 ptarmigan, they are all far too general to be of 

 the slightest assistance in determining a question 

 which is of so much interest to the naturalist. If, 

 however, at a future day I should see good reason 

 to change my opinion, I shall be too happy to 

 convict myself; for, as some old writer quaintly 

 observes, "No one need be ashamed of owning 

 that he was wrong, which is only saying, 'I am 

 wiser to-day than I was yesterday. 5 " 



Even in regard to the young birds of the year, 

 I have observed the new blue feathers shooting 

 out under the darker dress, as in the old ones ; 

 and if, as we have every reason to suppose, the 



