File:The American Museum journal (c1900-(1918)) (17973629069).jpg

Title: The American Museum journal
Identifier: americanmuseumjo10amer (find matches)
Year: c1900-(1918) (c190s)
Authors: American Museum of Natural History
Subjects: Natural history
Publisher: New York : American Museum of Natural History
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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19(3 TlIK AMERICAN MUSEUM .JOURNAL ()l)servation. Indeed a ther- mometer would doubtless liave proved the necessity of the bird's presence if its eggs were not to be cooked l)y the noon-day rays of a July sun. Passing by the groups ar- ranged along the side of the hall, each one of which has a biologic story of its own, we journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific and find the case of the skimmer practically icpeated by the black-necked ^tilt in the San Joacjuin Val- ley group. Here again is a conspicuous black and white parent, wliile the downy young wear an admirably disguising costume, which persists even to the plumage of flight worn by the half- grown stilt which is squat- ting in the vegetation at the water side. Note also in this group how effectively the color of the downy black tern in the foreground blends its wearer with the details of its nest. This San Joacjuin group contains a further illustra- tion of protective coloration in the cinnamon teal and ruddy duck. When molting, these birds, in common with grebes, murres and other diving birds, lose all their wing quills simultaneously and are consequently flightless until new ones are acquired. Apparently, therefore, to aid in their concealment during this comparatively helpless period, the males shed the more striking portions of their distinctive plumage which is replaced by a dull, neutral-tinted plumage like that of the female. This is worn only until they reacquire
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WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN IN SUMMER PLUMAGE A portion of tlie Arctic-Alpine group. The female ptarmigan is protectively colored; she will allow herself to be touched before deserting the nest

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