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Show 1903.] JAPANESE LONG-TAILED FOWLS. 239 March 4:th.-Measured feathers, exactly four weeks since last measurement:- Cock A, longest feather............... 2 ft. 3^ in. Cock B „ ^ „ ............... 2 „ 4£ „ The longest feathers in A were the two central rectrices, and these had almost entirely ceased growing since last measurement. They had grown 2| inches in four weeks. In B, on the other hand, the longest feather was the central rectrix on the right side, which was still growing and was 1 inch longer than the rectrices of A. The left rectrix of B, which was pulled out, would have been somewhat longer. In Cock A there were now only two feathers with growing sheaths, both on the right side, all the rest having ceased to grow. In Cock B, on the other hand, there were several coverts with growing sheaths, as well as the central rectrix of the right side. March 9th.-The two feathers still growing in Cock A were the central posterior covert on the right side and one next to this on the same side. They seemed to be about to stop growing. There were only five long feathers in Cock A, all the rest being shorter than the corresponding feathers in B. March 10th.-Another feather came out from Cock B today when the feathers were stroked ; it was the 1st anterior covert on the left side, and, although still growing, showed signs of cessation of growth. It was evident that the feathers, as noted above, were easily pulled out at this stage. Feather measured 1 ft. 9;| in. (55*3 cm.). March 11 th.-Still another feather pulled out of Cock B, 1st anterior covert of right side. It measured 1 ft. 8 in. March 1 §th. Age 9 months.-The two feathers which were still growing in Cock A seemed now to have both ceased to grow, one of them certainly. The only other growing feather in this bird was the one on the left side which had sprouted in place of the one pulled out. In Cock B four of the old feathers were still growing, namely, the right central rectrix, and three coverts on the left side, besides the neiv feathers sprouting in place of those pulled out. Many of the golden saddle-hackles in B had growing sheaths. One came out when they were being stroked the other day, and measured 7 inches in length. A few of the feathers of the same kind were growing in A, but most have stopped, and these hackles altogether were about 2 inches shorter in A than in B. Between the saddle-hackles and the long tail-coverts there were a number of feathers which may be called transition feathers. They were flexible and projected upwards first and then drooped in an arch ; the outer ends were steel-blue, the bases carried pure white down, which was exposed and was very ornamental to the bird. April ls£.- Measured the feathers, exactly four weeks since last measurement:- Longest feathers in A, central rectrices, 2 ft. 4| in. Longest feather in B, right central rectrix, 2 ft. 8 in. P r o c . Z o o l . S o c .- 1903, V o l . I. No. X Y I . 16 |