To answer your question I believe that what Pyle may be referring to when
he says "partial-incomplete" is that the bird undergoes a partial (in
part), an incomplete molt, that is, not a total incomplete molt. They tend
to loose only some of the feathers that define an incomplete molt. It
varies from species to species and bird to bird. Much the same as we as
humans vary in the amount of say nail growth or hair growth (genetic to
each species and/or individual). I hope that makes sense?

Libor

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From: CHRISTINE W. MAACK <73201.3124 at compuserve.com>
To: Tweetlist <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Subject: Molt information
Date: September 6, 1997 5:32 PM

Thanks, Libor, for expanding on the molt sequences and
terminology. I re-examined my Pyle and he does explain
in the introduction what is meant by "partial", "incomplete,"
etc. I still find it confusing when he says "partial-
incomplete." What does the dash mean?
or? to? a-little-of-each?

Chris Maack
Anchorage, AK
CMaack at compuserve.com
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