1<>I WHITETHltOAT.
shorter, while the male, although otherwise fresh, has one of the
middle tail feathers quite ragged, half of the outer web beiug worn
off, and the other middle feather growing, and shorter than the lateral,
both which are also unrenewed; the wings and the rest of the
plumage are perfect. As the season advances, the colours fade, and
the feathers are more or less worn; the upper parts assume a greyer
tint, and the lower a more dusky hue, the reddish colour on the
lore neck becoming more conspicuous; the red edgings on the quills
arc sometimes almost obliterated, and the head is much darker. In
specimens shot in July, the tail feathers are often in a singularly
ragged condition, especially the two middle and the lateral.'
