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Show 242 MR. J. T. CUNNINGHAM ON [Mar. 17, lating its growth, with this result. I am sure it would not have grown much more, as its growth was evidently ceasing. Total length of the feather 2 ft. 9| in., of which g in. was embedded in the socket. April 20th.-On this date the light-coloured hen being broody, I put 9 of her own eggs under her to be incubated. April 2§th.-Longest feather in Cock B now was the central covert of the left side, which was 2 ft. 2 in. long and still growing. The covert next to this was also growing. The feathers which had been pulled out were all regrowing vigorously, the longest being the left central rectrix, which was 7 or 8 inches long. In Cock A there was no further growth, except in the anterior covert which had been pulled out. May 12th.-All of the eggs incubated by the light-coloured hen were hatched on this date, and all the chicks were vigorous and healthy. My experience of the breed has been in direct opposition to the statements in Lewis Wright's account, with regard to their vigour and fertility: I have found them exceptionally hardy, vigorous, and fertile. There was no new variation observable in the chicks, except in one which was a rich golden-brown on the head and shoulders, instead of light buff colour. All were striped as described in the original chicks of the preceding season. May 27th. Aye 11 months 14 days.-Left central covert in Cock B 2 ft. 5 in. long, so that it had only grown 3 inches in four weeks. The covert next to this came out on this date when I stroked it. It was 2 ft. 2| in. long. It had evidently nearly ceased to grow, and was beginning to form downy barbs at the base. June 2nd.-First signs of moulting noted in the hens ; a good many of the breast- and body-feathers on the ground from day to day, and one primary wing-feather from the light-coloured hen found. There was, however, no sign of moulting in the tail-feathers of either cocks or hens. Cock A had lately been left at liberty with tail free, and none of the feathers had been broken or lost. June 8th.-Hens moulting a good deal, more primaries shed, and in some cases the new primary was half developed. The primaries in each hen were shed a single pair at a time. In the cocks none of the wing-feathers, saddle-hackles, or tail-feathers had been shed. The chick of this season's brood which was browner than the others in the down, showed the same peculiarity in the immature plumage, having a yellowish-brown colour instead of the neutral brown of the others ; the marking was the same. June 24th. Age 1 year 11 days.-Left central covert in Cock B 2 ft. 8 in. long, so that it had grown only 3 inches in four weeks. Jidy 13th.-The left central covert in Cock B was accidentally pulled out when I was away from home; the paper in which the |
