24* GOLDEN PLOTEE. 



in full summer plumage on the 22nd. of February. It is to 

 be noticed that some new black feathers are produced, while 

 others are changed by the black pigment from white to black ; 

 the process being to be observed in all its gradations. Back, 

 deep blackish or greyish brown, darkest in summer, with the 

 yellow marks on the feathers. 



The wings have the first feather the longest, the axillary 

 plume white in winter; greater and lesser wing coverts, greyish 

 black, with paler yellow angular spots at the edge of the 

 feathers, and in winter the greater coverts are tipped with 

 white; primaries and secondaries, dusky brown, the shafts 

 of the first five white on the anterior part; tertiaries, long, 

 greyish black, with angular-shaped yellow edges and tips to 

 the feathers. Tail, deep brown, paler towards the outside, 

 barred obliquely with yellow or greyish white and brownish 

 black, nearly meeting at the shaft; upper tail coverts, greyish 

 black, the feathers with angular yellow spots on their edges, 

 sometimes crossing them as bars; under tail coverts, white, 

 the side ones shaded with pale yellow, and obliquely barred 

 with brown. Legs and toes, black, deep grey in winter. 



In the female the black is not so intense, and is partially 

 mixed with white, but she on the whole resembles the male. 

 Bill, black; throat, greyish white; under tail coverts, greyish 

 white; legs and toes, dark grey. 



The young are at first covered with a beautiful party-coloured 

 down, of bright yellow and brown. They quit the i;est as 

 soon as hatched. 



The young the first year have the breast generally darker 

 than the old birds. 



'The intermediate states of plumage in which they are 

 met with in autumn are often very beautiful, the under parts 

 being marbled with black, white, and pale king's yellow, which 

 blend softly together.' Sir William Jardine. 



The full summer plumage is assumed by the end of May. 



