in Various Species of North American Birds. 17 



down from birth until of large size, when the autumnal plumage is 

 immediately assumed; while among Prcecoces the young of the Tetrao- 

 nidce, of Philohela minor, and of some of the Kallidce (well illus- 

 trated by a good suite of Rallus virginianus), pass in succession 

 through two well-defined primal stages, — the downy one character- 

 izing their own group and the first plumage of Altrices. In the 

 Anatidce, and probably some other Xatatores, the remiges and rec- 

 trices are not developed until the young bird is almost fully grown 

 and the autumnal clothing-plumage nearly perfect. A few fami- 

 lies, as the Ardeidce, have not been fully investigated, and may fur- 

 nish additional interesting exceptions. 



In concluding these prefatory remarks, I wish to gratefully ac- 

 knowledge an act of generosity on the part of Mr. Robert Ridgway. 

 He had some time since made investigations respecting the early 

 stages of plumage of birds, and had even sent descriptions of the 

 first plumage of some North American Warblers for publication in the 

 "Bulletin," when, learning of my prior researches and somewhat more 

 extensive material, he very kindly withdrew his paper and placed 

 the whole result of his work in my hands, thus enabling me to add 

 a number of species not represented in my collection. The descrip- 

 tions of these are presented in Mr. Ridgway's own words, and indi- 

 cated by quotation marks and his initials. I desire also to express 

 my thanks to my friend Mr. J. A. Allen for valuable suggestions 

 and information. 



1. Turdus mustelinus. 



First plumage : female. Generally similar to adult, but with the feathers 

 of crown streaked centrally with buff ; " rusty-yellow triangular spots at 

 the ends of the wing-coverts and a decided brownish-yellow wash on 

 the breast." From a specimen in my collection, shot by Mr. W. D. Scott 

 at Coalburgh, West Virginia, July 25, 1872. This bird is perhaps a little 

 past the first stage of plumage, most of the feathers of the upper parts 

 being those of the autumnal dress. 



2. Turdus pallasi. 



First plumage : female. Remiges and rectrices as in adult, but darker 

 and duller; rump and tail-coverts bright rusty-yellow; rest of upper 

 parts, including wing-coverts, dark reddish-brown, each feather with a 

 central tear-shaped spot of golden-yellow : entire under parts rich buff, 

 fading to soiled white on abdomen and anal region ; each feather on jugu- 

 lum and breast broadly tipped with dull black, so broadly, indeed, that 

 this color covers nearly four fifths of the parts where it occurs ; rest of 

 under parts, with exception of abdomen and crissum, which with the 



