BRITISH BIRDS 



summer. It appears that this annual change into what is known as the eclipse 

 plumage, which resembles more or less that of the female, commences in England 

 as early as May 20th and in Scotland about July ist. By degrees all the gay 

 colours disappear, being replaced by new feathers of brown and buff, and finally the 

 quill feathers of the wings are moulted, leaving the bird in a helpless condition as 

 far as flight is concerned. Were it not for this protective colouring, the birds 

 would have a poor chance of surviving during this critical period. It is not possible 

 to give further details here, except to say that by October ist the normal plumage of 

 the Mallard has been entirely resumed. 



The Bimaculated Duck, of Latham and other authors, figured by Bewick and 

 described as a species, is now known to be only a hybrid, by some considered a 

 cross between the Wigeon and Teal, but the late Lord Lilford, after handling a 

 specimen caught in his decoy in December 1894, was satisfied that the parents 

 were Mallard and Teal. 



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