244 Bird - Lore 



The first nuptial plumage, according to Dwight, is acquired by a partial 

 spring molt of the feathers of the anterior parts of the head, chin and throat, 

 which now become black and whitish; but the chestnut nape, and more 

 distinctly marked back, are due to a wearing off of the brownish edges of the 

 feathers of the winter plumage (Fig. 6). 



The adult male, after the usual complete postnuptial molt, resembles the 

 young male in its first winter plumage, and their subsequent plumage changes 

 are the same. 



The female, in Juvenal plumage, resembles the male in the same plumage; 

 but in the first winter plumage, which is acquired by molt, as in the young 

 male, she has less, and sometimes no black, on the throat and less rufous 

 on the nape. The nuptial plumage is acquired partly by molt and in part 

 by wear. 



The Alaskan Longspur {Cakarius lapponicus alascensis) resembles the 

 form from northeastern America, but has had the margins to the feathers of 

 the back much paler, brownish gray or buffy, the nape, in winter, being 

 more buffy. 



THE GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET 



When April sun and April showers 

 Are calling to the sweet spring flowers; 

 Or, when October is aglow, 

 You'll find him flitting to and fro. 

 This midget, clad in olive gray. 

 With bright black eyes, who seems to say: — 

 "if not so busy, I might wait 

 To get acquainted; here's my mate; 

 But I must hasten — zee, zee, zee! — • 

 To catch each tidbit that I see." 

 From branch to branch he flutters past. 

 Now up, now down, he darts so fast 

 With wings atwinkle, you must peer 

 Quite carefully and stand quite near. 

 To find, that which from robbers bold 

 He guards so well, — his crown of gold. 



— Laura E. Smith. 



