GOLPEN PLO\-ER. 



391 



before and after the breeding-season the adult birds may be 

 seen for a time with tlie breast of a mixed plumage of black 

 and white. 



The whole length of an adult bird rather more than eleven 

 inches. From the carpal joint to the end of the wing seven 

 inches and three-quarters ; the form of the wing pointed ; the 

 first quill-feather the longest of the whole. 



The plumage of adult birds of both sexes is nearly alike 

 at the same season of the year ; but young birds of the year 

 during their first autumn have the breast much darker in 

 colour than the same part of the old birds in winter, and 

 may be distinguished throughout their first winter from 

 parent birds by the greater proportion of dusky grey on the 

 breast and belly. 



