156 D WIGHT 



of the spotting is entirely lost and the shape of the feathers 

 changed thereby. Wear invoh-es more of the feathers than the 

 terminal spot, their tips becoming lanceolate. 



5. Adult Winter Plumage acquired by a complete post- 

 nuptial moult. Practically indistinguishable from first winter 

 dress ; the edgings narrower but deeper in color. 



6. Adult Nuptial Plumage acquired by wear as in the 

 young bird. 



Female. — The moults and plumages are similar to those of the 

 male, females being somewhat duller and more heavily spotted. 



ICTERIDuE 



The peculiarities of moult in this Family will be explained 

 under each species, most of them being subject to a complete 

 postjuvenal moult thereby assuming plumage practically adult, 

 like M. ater, S. magna, S. earo/iiius, Q. qniscnla and its races. 

 A complete semiannual or double moult is peculiar to D. 

 orydvonis, while /. spiiruis and /. galbiila undergo a limited 

 first prcnuptial moult in winter which is not repeated a second 

 year. 



Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.). Bobolink 



1. Natal Down. Buff, (plate V, fig. 1) 



2. Juvenal Plumage acquired by a complete postnatal moult. 



Above, dull brownish black, median crown stripe, superciliary line, nuchal band 

 and edgings of the other feathers of back and wings buff deepest on nape ; 

 primaries, their coverts, secondaries and alulae tipped with grayish white. Be- 

 low, rich buff paler on chin and faintly flecked on sides of throat with clove- 

 brown. A dusky postocular streak. Bill pinkish buff, clay-color with dusky 

 tip when older. Feet clay-color becoming deep Vandyke-brown. 



This plumage is worn but a short time and the postjuvenal 

 moult is well advanced by the end of July as shown by four 

 specimens in my collection. 



3. First Winter Plumage acquired by a partial postjuvenal 

 moult in July which involves the body plumage, tertiaries and 

 wing coverts, but not the rest of the wings nor the tail. 



