27^ Dr Fleming on the Changes of Cokmr in the 
to this subject, to examine the differences of colour between the 
summer and the winter dresses of many of our native birds, I 
was led to conclude, from seeing feathers in all the intermediate 
shades of colour, that in many species there must, in the course 
of the year, be five or six different moultings, or that the co- 
lour changed while the feather rei^ained. Upon searching for 
proofs of such frequent moultings, I not only was unsuccessful, 
but by observing feathers in progress to their destined colour, I 
abandoned the former opinion, while I embraced the latter. In 
hopes of being confirmed in my views by the communication of 
new facts, I stated my opinion on the subject to the late George 
Montagu, Esq. than whom, since the days of Willoughby, no 
one has examined, Avith so much care, the characters and eco- 
nomy of our British birds. I was disappointed in finding him 
prejudiced in favour of the old opinion, and disposed in some 
cases to admit, in the same bird, three successive moultings in 
the course of a year. In his letter, dated Knowle, 7th De- 
cember 1814,"” he adds, But I have no conception of a change 
of colour in the same feather or the same hair, (because the co- 
louring matter has been disposed in embryo), except by length 
of time, as our hair is changed by age.” W^hen I prepared the 
article .tryjBEaiyr^riojv of Animals^ which was printed, in 1817, in 
the eleventh volume of the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, conduct- 
ed by Dr Brewster, I endeavoured to collect the proofs of the 
truth of my oAvn views on the subject, and succeeded in at 
least convincing myself that they amounted to demonstration. 
In the thirty-third article in the volume to Avhich I have al- 
luded of the Linnean Transactions, the subject is likewise 
brought foi ward. It is entitled, Kemarks on the Changes of 
the Plumage of Birds. By the Rev. William Whitear of Star- 
ston in Norfolk. Communicated by Joseph Sabine, Esq. 
E. R. S. and L, S. Read April 6. 1819."’ In this paper the 
author, evidently unacquainted with my observations and con- 
clusions on the subject, published neaily three years before, 
states, But no Avriter, Avith Avhom I am acquainted, has 
hitherto pointed out the fact, that in some birds the fill gromi 
feathers themselves change colour^ without heing replaced hg 
new onesT And afterAvards lie adds, “ On the 9th of Januaiy 
last, I received a young Avild mallard, which had nearly assum^^ 
