The Mallard 25 
Not till about the middle of August can we say that the first plumage 
is thoroughly complete, and no sooner is this so than those wonderful colour 
changes, hints of the approaching full winter plumage, commence amongst the 
feathers. The change is generally first noticeable on the upper scapulars, the 
back, and the lower part of the back of the neck. On the lower part of the 
cheek and throat also many feathers change at their ends from a sandy colour 
to black, while a few feathers at the thigh and under the tail show a tendency 
to alter their hue. Whilst this is taking place in the feathers themselves, we 
first note the beginning of the actual moult and the advent of completely new 
full plumage feathers. At this date young males are readily distinguished 
from old drakes by their smaller breast markings and worn-looking tails ; for 
in August and September the tails of old drakes are quite new and neatly 
arranged. As I have endeavoured to show in dealing with the transition of 
plumage in the old male, only a few of these new feathers come in in their 
complete brilliance ; there is no sudden passing by means of moult from one 
plumage to another. And so it is with the young Mallard. As the moult 
proceeds, the old feathers, before dropping, become lighter in tone and slightly 
change pattern, in harmony with the incoming winter plumage, which, later on, 
will similarly adapt itself to its past phase, arriving in a hue more sombre than 
that which it will eventually assume. This change of the young bird into 
full plumage is a comparatively slow one, the process extending from about 
August 12 to November 12, during which period there is a constant dropping 
of the old first plumage feathers (wholly or partially re-coloured in the last 
few weeks or days of their existence) and a gradual influx of new ones, which, 
in their turn, daily grow richer in colour, all except the few late comers, 
which may, perhaps, achieve at once the full brilliance of maturity. 
Of the young Mallard, as of all young surface-feeding ducks, no man can 
say which part of his clothing he will change first. As will be seen from the 
pictures of young males in process of assuming their full winter plumage, the 
whole of the breast or the whole of the back may change first, whilst other 
parts, such as the head, remain in first plumage ; but sometimes, though rarely, 
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