2^2 Recent Literature. [_fuW 



occur are due to lack, of complete series showing all grades of changes 

 and which in many cases were not seen by the writer, or still remain to 

 he collected before one can be sure of knowing how and when changes 

 occur. If collectors would save their worn and molting specimens 

 instead of throwing them away as ' worthless,' changes of plumage would 

 be far better known. 



Our author's selection of the words, " first winter, and nuptial," to indi- 

 cate certain conditions of plumage seems unfortunate, for several reasons. 

 In some cases "nuptial" indicates a plumage condition and colors, 

 obtained wholly by wearing, in others the same word designates plumages 

 obtained partly or entirely by molt, and again in others by a combination 

 of molt and wear. All birds have these seasonal changes, yet differ in 

 the process and time of changing ; therefore it would seem that a better 

 formula is necessary by which to designate those instances where the 

 same seasonal comparative conditions are obtained by entirely different 

 physiological processes. These words are used for such birds as Spi/ius 

 tristis which has a double molt, and also for Plectropkenax nivalis which 

 has but one ; also for Junco kyematis, Melospiza fasciata, Scolecophagus 

 carolinus, Cistothoriis palustris, and others, which differ considerably 

 not only in the nature and extent of the molt, but also as to the time of 

 plumage change ; and the matter is further complicated by the fact that 

 the immature birds of many species molt at different times from the 

 adults, some in the fall, others in the spring, even differing as to the 

 parts of the plumage affected. For instance, the young Song Sparrow 

 obtains a new tail in the fall. One specimen taken Sept. 13, another 

 taken Nov. 6, have new central feathers, and I have watched a live one 

 completely renew its tail. A Cistothoriis palustris on April 15, is molting 

 all except the remiges and the tail is half grown. A Savanna Sparrow, 

 May 6, is similar, but the outer rectrices are still in place and most of the 

 secondaries and tertials have been renewed. Two Ilenslow's Sparrows, 

 same date, have the central tail-feathers just appearing ; in one ten, in the 

 other seven old feathers are still in place. Two Indigos, Sept. 1, and Oct. 

 2, have not only molted their tail-feathers but have also nearly completed 

 the new wing feathers. All the above are immature birds, and the Hen- 

 slow's are molting nothing except the tail. It is hardly safe to say that 

 these nestling rectrices were lost by accident. 



No mention is made of the spring molt of immature Agclaius phoeniceus. 

 In the female this is one of the least extensive of our birds, being con- 

 fined to the throat, around the eyes and along the superciliary stripe. 

 Under Dendroica cazrulescens occurs a lapsus calami, where our author 

 speaks of the white edging of the throat feathers of "fall adults." 

 These are birds of the year, as is readily proved by their osteology. 



Much work remains to be done before we can understand the changes 

 and conditions of even our most common birds ; the difficulty is great 

 and success uncertain, owing chiefly to the fact that no individuals as 

 such are resident with us but migrate extensively. 



