The Zoologist — February, 1868. 1077 



same. On the other hand, in adult birds the plumage is revivified, 

 rejuvenated, reimpigmented in the spring, when their plumage becomes 

 most lovely, perfect and soft, at once giving the idea of youth and 

 vigour, though not of necessity. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE PLUMAGES. 



First Year. 

 First Plumage or First Summer. — Head and neck white, spotted 

 with brown. The upper surface of the body and wings, except the 

 upper tail-coverts, dark brown, barred with paler brown. Wing-quills 

 brown and black. Tail black and white, as are its upper coverts. 

 Under surface of the body white, transversely marked with cinereous- 

 gray or dull brown, the centre of the belly being generally, however, 

 plain white. Bill, basal half flesh-colour, poiut half black. Feet dull 

 flesh-colour. Orbits black. Irides dark brown. Lips and inside of 

 mouth dull flesh-colour. 



First Winter Plumage. — Markings on head and neck sharper, 

 darker and more distinct. Back and scapulars intermixed with 

 lavender-gray feathers. Secondary large coverts more lead-colour, as 

 is also the rump. Under plumage a purer white, with the dark 

 markings sharper and better defined. Feet greenish flesh. Lips and 

 mouth yellowish flesh. Rest as in first plumage. 



Second Summer Plumage,— Jn its early part a faded addition of 

 first winter. From June, often earlier, the bird is in perpetual moult, 

 and shows great diversity of dress as the new feathers for the 

 approaching winter appear. The basal portion of the bill and the 

 feet change to greenish gray. 



Second Year. 



Second Winter Plumage.— Head and neck white, sharply and 

 iuteusely spotted with black. The upper surface, except the wing- 

 coverts, as in the adult ; the secondary coverts as the adult, but still 

 tinged or dusted with brown. The primary coverts, the bastard wing 

 and its appendages leaden gray, indiscriminately and vigorously 

 clouded with black. Breast still lightly marked with dun-colour 

 transverse wavy bars. Bill, basal half grayish or greenish lead-colour, 

 tip half black. Lips and mouth, flesh tinged with orange. 



TJiird Summer Plumage. — Head and neck mostly wear nearly to 

 white, though generally are still mottled ; the breast generally loses 

 its dark markings. The bastard wing and the primary coverts are 



