PASSERINE BIRDS OF NEW YORK 233 



4. First Nuptial Plumage acquired by wear which scarcely 

 shows in the soft, silky plumage till late in the autumn when 

 fading becomes apparent. 



5. Adult Winter Plumage acquired by a complete post- 

 nuptial moult usually begun in September. Practically indis- 

 tinguishable from first winter dress, the red wing appendages 

 perhaps more frequent. 



6. Adult Nuptial Plumage acquired by wear as in the young 

 bird. 



Female. — The sexes are practically alike in plumages and 

 moults, but the female usually has less black on the chin and 

 the wax-like tips probably less frequently develop. 



LANIID^ 



Our two Shrikes appear to moult the same, apparently having 

 a semiannual renewal in both young and old birds. Young 

 acquire full adult body plumage at the first prenuptial moult, 

 retaining the immature remiges until the first postnuptial. 



Lanius borealis Vieill. Northern Shrike 



1. Natal Down. No specimen seen. 



2. Juvenal Plu^lage acquired by a complete postnatal moult. 



Above, brownish mouse-gray with indistinct dusky vermiculations, especially on the 

 rump. Wings black, a white area at bases of the primaries ; the coverts, tertia- 

 ries and secondaries edged with wood-brown, or pale cinnamon mottled from 

 irregular extension of the color, and similar tipping on the rectrices which are 

 black, the lateral ones largely white. Below mouse-gray, nearly white on mid- 

 abdomen, indistinctly vermiculated, more marked on sides and crissum. Bar 

 though eye dull clove-brown ; lores grayish. Bill and feet dusky wood-brown 

 in dried skin. 



Description from a bird taken in Labrador. 



3. First Winter Plumage acquired by a partial postjuvenal 

 moult which involves the body plumage, and wing coverts, but 

 not the rest of the wings nor the tail. 



Above, French gray washed with brownish gray, the rump grayish white. Lesser 

 coverts cinereous gray, the median black, the retained greater coverts dull black 



