78 THE GAME BIRDS 
905 WILERET. HUMELIEY-. 
Sym phemia semipalmata, 
Predominating color of old birds in full 
plumage dark ashy-gray, varying in shade with 
the age, and more or less marked with black- 
ish, in interrupted bars; there is also a shad- 
ing of brown; under side white, with brown- 
ish shade, and marked on the breast and 
sides with black ; rump white, and there is a 
white band on the wings which is very appar- 
ent during flight; eyes brown; bill black; 
legs bluish. The young plumage is heght 
ashy-gray, under side white, and there are 
numberless intermediate shades between this 
stage and full plumage. Length 16 inches; 
extent 28 inches. 
It is claimed that there is a variety, 
ot. WESTERN Wie. 
Symphem ia semipalmata inornata, 
Which occurs in the district west of the Miss- 
issippi. ‘The distinguishing trait is only 
apparent in full plumaged birds, except 
for the sheht difference in size, the western 
bird being a trifle larger, bill longer and 
slenderer, general tone lighter, and markings 
not so apparent. 
I am not going to quarrel over a shade in 
color, but whether you find the bird in Kan- 
sas or in New Jersey you will find him the 
