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The Descent of Man

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placed by coloured ones. (36. Mr. Blyth, in<br />

Charlesworth's 'Magazine <strong>of</strong> Natural History,'<br />

vol. i. 1837, p. 300. Mr. Bartlett has informed me<br />

in regard to gold pheasants.) <strong>The</strong> actual duration<br />

<strong>of</strong> life is known in but few birds, so that we<br />

can hardly judge by this standard. And, with<br />

reference to the period at which the power <strong>of</strong><br />

reproduction is gained, it is a remarkable fact<br />

that various birds occasionally breed whilst<br />

retaining their immature plumage. (37. I have<br />

noticed the following cases in Audubon's 'Ornith.<br />

Biography.' <strong>The</strong> redstart <strong>of</strong> America (Muscapica<br />

ruticilla, vol. i. p. 203). <strong>The</strong> Ibis tantalus<br />

takes four years to come to full maturity, but<br />

sometimes breeds in the second year (vol. iii. p.<br />

133). <strong>The</strong> Grus americanus takes the same time,<br />

but breeds before acquiring its full plumage<br />

(vol. iii. p. 211). <strong>The</strong> adults <strong>of</strong> Ardea caerulea<br />

are blue, and the young white; and white, mottled,<br />

and mature blue birds may all be seen<br />

breeding together (vol. iv. p. 58): but Mr. Blyth<br />

informs me that certain herons apparently are

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