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Show 1 9 0 3 . ] JAPANESE LONG-TAILED FOWLS. 2 4 5 came out when I stroked the feathers: these were all feathers of completed growth, which came out in consequence of the moult. In the light-coloured hen, nearly all *bhe rectrices and some of the coverts came out when I tried them. The two central rectrices in the hen were longer than the others, slightly curved downwards at the tip, and speckled with brown at the borders : length 22*5 cm. (9 inches) without quill. The other rectrices were broader and black, length 19-5 cm. (8 inches) without quill: the quill was 1 '8 cm. in length. Sept. 6th.-More tail-feathers moulted from Cock B this morning. The 2nd anterior covert on left side pulled out on May 27th had just begun to appeal', so that renewed growth was deferred till the moulting-season. Sept. 1th.-Nearly all the rectrices and longer tail-coverts which had completed their growth had now been moulted in Cock B. I had pulled many of them out without violence when they were loose. By looking at the base of the feathers, I could see when they were loose, because the transparent hollow quill was pushed out and was visible beyond the socket. In Cock A only four of the rectrices and none of the longer coverts have been moulted spontaneously. The left central rectrix in Cock B, which was still growing, measured today 2 ft. 0^ in., or had grown not quite 4 inches in four weeks. Sept. 18^. Age 1 year 2 months.-Today, when taking up Cock A to examine him, I accidentally trod upon the growing feather the predecessor of which had been pulled out on Feb. 10th. It was one of the anterior coverts on the left side, possibly the first. The feather broke off at the top of the sheath, the latter remaining in the socket. It was nearly 18 inches long (445 cm.), and would probably continue to grow from the same base. This cock had still six long feathers not moulted, namely: the central rectrices, the 2nd pair of rectrices, and two posterior coverts. In Cock B the fourth anterior covert on the right side, the outer of the three growing again, was coming to an end of its growth, showing downy barbs at the base, and it would be curious to see if it were moulted. This fact is worthy of particular notice, for it proves that a feather which replaces one pulled out before the moulting-season does not necessarily continue to grow through that season, and it raises the question whether feathers which are growing when the moulting-season begins, necessarily grow longer or for a longer time than those which are moulted in the natural way. This question is answered to some extent by the subsequent observations. At the end of September I ceased to reside at Penzance and came to London, and having obtained permission through my friend Mr. F. E. Beddard, F.R.S., to deposit the fowls at the Society's Gardens, I took them there on Oct. 1st. They were |
