Moulting synonyms

The white ruff on the neck, and the similarly coloured feathers of the wing, do not appear until the completion of the first moulting.

In one of the most esteemed varieties, the wing and tail feathers are at first black - a peculiarity, however, which disappears after the first moulting.

But the evidence is not conclusive as to whether any part of the winter condition is additionally produced by moulting.

It also uses the burrow as a safe retreat during moulting and guards its cocoon and young in its depths.

In structure and some of its habits much resembling a bullfinch, but much exceeding that bird in size, it has the plumage of a crossbill and appears to undergo the same changes as do the members of the restricted genus Loxia - the young being of a dull greenish-grey streaked with brownish-black, the adult liens tinged with golden-green, and the cocks glowing with crimson-red on nearly all the body-feathers, this last colour being replaced after moulting in confinement by bright yellow.