The Mallard 
from June to October, is that, though the general colour-change is sometimes 
rapid, there is nothing sudden in the general transmission of one stage of 
plumage to another. At the beginning of Stage 2 {i.e. early in July in Scotch 
birds figured) when the new feathers have come to the surface we see a wonder- 
ful power of control on the part of the bird itself over all the old feathers 
which are still interspersed amongst the plumage — a power of blending or sym- 
pathetic change to meet the new and more sombre colour scheme. To the very 
last moment of their attachment to the bird these old feathers are alive to 
colour transmission. Hence, in passing our hand over the plumage of an old 
drake at the beginning of this stage, that is to say, when he is in full actual 
change, we are at first surprised to find numerous brown and barred feathers 
apparently of the new eclipse plumage coming away under our touch ; but in 
reality these are old feathers which have changed colour, often in the very last 
day of their existence. For these reasons I am convinced that a bird has full 
power to control the moult as it will, and also infuse or withhold colouring 
matter as it thinks necessary. Except as to the wings (which grow slowly 
and pass through the ordinary single moult of all other birds), the whole 
plumage now remains dormant for a month ; and so we pass to Stage 3, when 
the movement towards the winter dress commences. 
Stage 3 (August 12, Scotland). — Save that the wings are now complete, 
there has been up to this date no external change in the bird since July 6 ; but 
now a big move in the plumage is about to take place : the eclipse is to be 
exchanged for the plumage of winter. The method of this transformation is 
indeed most remarkable. Take the vent for instance. The new feathers, 
instead of coming in black, as we should expect in a clean moult, as this is, 
arrive in all colours, from sandy-brown, with dark grey or black spots, to pure 
white. White-vented old drakes, indeed, are not at all uncommon at this date, 
and it certainly does seem strange that the birds should bring in a new set 
of feathers of a colour which we know will, in a fortnight at latest, change to 
its exact opposite. Another change now commences ; all the new feathers on 
the upper chest begin to change colour, displaying the first tints of that 
