122 WILLOW WAEBLEE. 



than the sixth, but not so long as the fifth, the third, fourth, 

 and fifth nearly equal in length, and the longest in the wing; 

 the quills nineteen in number: greater and lesser wing coverts, 

 greyish brown, edged on the outside webs with yellowish 

 green; primaries, excepting the two first, secondaries, and 

 tertiaries, darker brown, edged with yellowish green, the latter 

 the most so; greater and lesser under wing coverts, bright 

 yellow, some of the feathers extending over the outer edge. 

 The tail, which is rather long, and of a greyish brown colour, 

 the feathers edged extensively with yellowish green, has the 

 two middle feathers slightly shorter than the other ones; 

 underneath, it is greyish brown; it reaches an inch beyond 

 the end of the wings; upper tail coverts, dull olive green; 

 under tail coverts, whitish, strongly tinged with yellow. The 

 legs are very slender and delicate, and, as the toes, light 

 yellowish brown; claws, brown. 



The female is a little larger than the male, and her colours 

 are not so bright; length, a little over five inches; the wings 

 extend to the width of about eight inches. 



The young bird at first resembles the parent; after the 

 autumnal moult the whole of plumage of the under parts 

 becomes more yellow than in the old birds. 



The moult takes place as soon as the young are dismissed, 

 and the new plumage is perfect by the middle of September. 



Mr. Macgillivray says, 'I have not observed any other 

 remarkable variations than those connected with the periodical 

 change of plumage. The above descriptions refer to individuals 

 having their feathers perfect. When these birds arrive in 

 this country in April, the old individuals have their plumage 

 considerably worn, in consequence of which the yellowish 

 green edgings are diminished, and the yellow tints more or 

 less obliterated. At the same period, individuals are met with 

 having the plumage in all respects perfect, and of a much 

 brighter colour. They most probably are young birds reared 

 in the southern regions during the absence of the species, or 

 at least young birds of, the previous year, which have been 

 long in moulting. As the season advances the upper parts 

 become of a nearly uniform greyish brown; the yellow tints 

 fade, so that the line over the eye becomes nearly white, as 

 does the greater part of the lower surface.' 



