PASSERINE BIRDS OF NEW YORK 167 



orange (absent in older birds) which also suffuses the median 

 and lesser coverts. The greater cov^erts, secondaries and terti- 

 aries are broadly edged with white. The variable black area of 

 the throat seems to increase in older birds. 



6. Adult Nuptial Plumage acquired by wear through which 

 the white wing edgings are largely lost (see plate II, fig. 10). 

 Yellow barbules are lost from the orange barbs so that the color 

 is perhaps intensified in some cases. 



Female. — The natal down and juvenal plumage are the same 

 as in the male and subsequent moults are the same but limited 

 in extent at the first prenuptial so that little or no black is as- 

 sumed on the chin, back and tail. The black on the chin of fe- 

 males is always very restricted in extent. 



Scolecophagus carolinus (Miill). Rusty Blackbird 



1. Natal Down. No specimen seen. 



2. Juvenal Plumage acquired by a complete postnatal moult. 



Whole plumage slate-color washed on back and throat with sepia-brown. Tail 

 darker with greenish reflections. Tertiaries and wing coverts edged with Mar's- 

 brown. Bill and feet seal-brown, black when older. 



3. First Winter Plumage acquired by a complete post- 

 ju venal moult beginning in eastern Canada, the end of July, 

 young and old becoming practically indistinguishable. 



Everywhere lustrous greenish black more or less veiled above with Mar's-brown, 

 below with wood-brown. The wings and tail are without edgings. 



4. First Nuptial Plumage acquired by wear through which 

 the veiling is almost or completely lost, birds becoming entirely 

 greenish or purplish black. 



5. Adult Winter Plumage acquired by a complete post- 

 nuptial moult beginning the middle of July. Not appreciably 

 different from first winter plumage, the veiling probably less the 

 older a bird grows. 



6. Adult Nuptial Plu.mage acquired by \\-ear as in the 

 young bird. 



Female. — The natal down and juvenal plumage are the same 

 as in the male. By a complete postjuvenal moult the first winter 



