EGYPTIAN NEOPHRON. 99 



The young of the year, have the head thinly 

 covered with down, and, as observed, have the 

 colouring of the uncovered parts of a less clear 

 appearance than in the adults ; the plumage is 

 entirely of a dull blackish brown with yellowish 

 spots on the tips of the feathers. The quills how- 

 ever are black, though not of so clear a tint as in 

 the old birds. In approaching to maturity, the 

 dark parts of the plumage assume a rich purplish 

 brown tint, the feathers appear more glossy, and 

 these dark parts afford a pleasing and strong 

 contrast with the cream yellow of body. 



We shall now enter upon the second family of 

 the Ilaptores 



