Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/405

Rh has got new feathers on all parts of its body, so that all the important subsequent changes are a result of the continued deposition of the colouring matter into the feathers. In this specimen there is an extraordinary amount of white on the front of the head extending beyond the commencement of the eyes. Dissection proved it to be an immature male.

Length 28 in.; wing 16½ in.; weight 5 lb. 2 oz.; bill 2·17 in.; tarsus 2·91 in.; neck 9 in.

Seventh stage. The drab of the under parts has become more pronounced, while the black has greatly increased, and now forms almost unbroken bands across the lower parts; great numbers of the drab feathers have the black pigment being thrown into them.

Adult male.—Length 29 in.; wing 18 in.; weight 5 lb.; bill 2·24 in.; tarsus 3·0 in.

In all these four stages the colour of the soft parts is much deeper than in corresponding stages of A. albifrons, being of a distinct deep reddish orange. In some the entire bill is a bright orange scarlet, the nail also being suffused with red while the bird is quite fresh. The brilliancy of colour in the legs and bill appears to increase as the bird nears the breeding stage. Tongue and inside mouth white. Eyelid yellowish umber.

Eighth stage. All that need be said here in connection with this bird is to note the largely increased amount of black on the under parts, which extends almost to the vent, and has ceased to form bars; they are great patches with drab feathers interspersed.

Female.—Length 27½ in.; weight (a thin bird) 4¼ lb.; bill 2·1 in.; tarsus 2·75 in.; wing 16½ in.; neck 9 in.

Ninth stage shows a still further increase of black on the under parts, and leads up directly to the final two breeding birds.

Female.—Length and weight not taken; wing 17½ in.; bill 2·1 in.; tarsus 2·85 in.

In the sixth and seventh stages of this bird it is very evident that the under parts had become much paler than in the fourth