Vol- X^vni-j Howe, A Study of Macrorhamphus. l6l 



Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus {Say). 



Geographical Breeding Range. — This form seems almost con- 

 fined to Alaska in the breeding season, certainly extending no 

 farther east than the iioth meridian of longitude or south of the 

 48th parallel of latitude in British Columbia. 



Migratory Routes. — I'he trend of the migration route of scolopa- 

 ceus, as shown on the accompanying map, seems to be in a north- 

 westerly-southeasterly direction in the main to the east of the 

 Rocky Mountains. Offshoots from the main route reach the 

 Pacific and Atlantic coasts, on the latter not uncommonly from 

 Sable Island southward. Perhaps a few work up the coast from 

 Florida where they are by far the most common of the two forms 

 on migrations, especially in November and February. 



Characteristics of summer plumage: Adults. — Upper parts black, 

 the feathers strongly edged and marked with deep rufous; this is espe- 

 cially so in young birds, giving the back and crown a mottled black and 

 rufous effect. Uppermost tail-coverts white generally barred with black, 

 outer tail feathers white barred with black, median ones barred with 

 black and rufous. Breast salmon; throat spotted with round arrow- 

 shaped markings ; breast and flanks barred with black. 



Characteristics of plumage in transitio?i stages: — Scolopaceus can be 

 distinguished well into the autumn and in the early spring by the barred 

 rufous and black median tail feathers, and sabnon tinge of the breast 

 coloring. 



Characteristics of plumage in -winter. — M. g. scolopaceus can gener- 

 ally be told by the barred uppermost tail-coverts. 



Characteristics of plumage of young. — Upperparts black, heavily 

 bordered and marked with deep rufous; tips of the median tail feathers 

 barred Avith black and rufous; throat whitish, faintly marked; breast 

 light salmon lightly marked with arrotv-sha'pQd spots of dusky, abdo- 

 men pale salmon. 



1 Extreme specimens of males measure 2. 11 and 2. So (the latter perhaps 

 erroneously sexedj; of an extreme female 3.08. 

 ^ Still showing down. 



