by Mr. Claude Grant in South Africa. 2G9 
the birds taken at this time are in what Mr. Grant calls the 
semi-adult stage, which I take to be a winter plumage. 
My recollections of the very large series in the South- 
African Museum also confirm my belief that there is a 
double moult, after and before the breeding-season. 
However, the matter requires further careful investigation 
by some observer in the field before a final conclusion can be 
reached. 
[This series shews that the adult metallic plumage of the 
male is retained throughout the year, there being only one 
moult, which takes place after the breeding-season, in the 
autumn months from March to May. The series of immature 
males seems to shew that there are two complete plumages 
before the adult stage is reached. 
1st. The first plumage. 
2nd. A semi-adult plumage with the tail (the central pair 
of feathers also developed), wings, and rump as in the adult, 
but only a few metallic feathers on the mantle and under 
parts, which are otherwise as in the adult female. 
This plumage is assumed in the autumn and winter following 
the nesting-season, that is to say, between the months of 
March and June, though birds of a late brood may still be 
found moulting in July and August. The full adult 
feathering is then attained in the autumn and winter of the 
second year, a complete moult again taking place, which is 
completed by the end of August. Therefore some adult 
males killed in October and November are less worn than 
others ; these being the immature birds that have assumed 
the metallic feathering during the previous autumn and 
winter—that is to say, March to August. 
The following examples are in the collection :—- 
$, young. 20 March.—This bird is in full moult, and is 
assuming the metallic wings and tail of the adult, but both 
dull and metallic feathers are replacing the young plumage 
on the breast and mantle ; the head and throat not yet 
shewing signs of moult. 
immature. 17 May .—This bird has almost completed 
its moult, the wings, rump, and tail being as in the adult \ 
SER. ix. —VOL. v. 
V 
