252 DWIGHT 



dress in some cases, but usually bluer with blacker wings and tail, 

 with bluer wing edgings (especially the primary coverts), darker 

 transocular streak, the edgings above more scanty, the pectoral 

 band broader and both parts of it darker and the chin usually 

 tinged with chestnut. 



6. ADULT NUPTIAL PLUMAGE acquired evidently by a partial 

 prenuptial moult as in the young bird. The bluer wing edgings 

 and the blacker primary coverts constitute the only fairly con- 

 stant differences between young and old. Differs from adult 

 winter dress chiefly in the deeper blue of the head, blackness in 

 loral and ocular regions with a small white spot above and 

 below the eye, and in the unveiling of concealed tints elsewhere. 



Female. Not distinguishable from the male until the first winter 

 plumage is assumed when the chestnut of the pectoral band is 

 much restricted or lacking, and the upper parts are greener. The 

 first nuptial plumage is assumed by a limited prenuptial moult, a 

 female taken in Jamaica, West Indies, January 29th, showing 

 actual moult on the head and throat. The colors assumed are 

 duller than those of male in first nuptial dress but similarly dis- 

 tributed. The adult winter plumage resembles the male in first 

 winter dress but the primary coverts are usually bluer and the 

 chestnut more restricted. The adult nuptial plumage differs little 

 from this and later plumages are always duller than those of the 

 male. 



The separation of northern birds into a subspecies known as 

 usnece is based upon extremely slender characters, the variation 

 between individuals being greater than the differences described. 

 The first prenuptial moult usually produces americana especi- 

 ally if it does not extend to the chestnut portion of the pectoral 

 band. Later prenuptial moults probably produce iisncce with the 

 deeper colors peculiar to adults. If it were not that some young 

 birds also acquire deep colors, the matter would be less compli- 

 cated. 



