﻿i so Bird - Lore 



although the material is renewed ;it intervals by moult. ( )n the other hand, 

 the richly dressed male is subject to many changes. Commencing with the 

 nest it has a natal down, which is followed by a juvenal plumage', this is suc- 

 ceeded by the first winter plumage. These latter plumages are very much in 

 color like that of the female bird. This carries the male bird until the 

 following spring, when by moult an entire change in appearance rakes place 

 and the Tanager assumes the first nuptial plumage of scarlet vermilion, which 

 is worn until the post nuptial moult takes place after the breeding season 

 and just prior to the southward migration. It is known as tin- adult winter 

 plumage. The male at this moult assumes a plumage very much like that of 

 the female bird, but he can always In- readily distinguished by his jet black 

 wings, the- wings of the female bird being a brownish black. The bird 

 student, especially the beginner, often wonders why it is that he fails to find 

 any male Scarlet Tanagcrs in t he late summer, and it is only after the subject of 

 moult and change in plumage is understood that such enigmas an- unraveled. 

 During the post nuptial moult of the male the- plumage assumes a parti- 

 colored appearance that is very singular. One of the most important and 

 valuable contributions to the literature of ornithology was made a few 

 years since, by Dr. Jonathan Dwight, Jr., in which he discussed the 

 plumage and moults ol the passerine birds of New "l ork. 



The subject is treated so comprehensively and intelligently by the author 

 that every nature teacher should procure a copy of this valuable treatise. 

 It is practically impossible, in a leaflet of this size, to do more for the student 

 than to refer him to a recognized authority on this interesting subject. A 

 short quotation from tin- opening chapter of the book will show its value 

 and scope: "The moultingof birds is a subject so complicated, so extensive, 

 anil so difficult of study, that it is nor surprising to find it wrapped, even 

 today, in dense clouds of ignorance which obscure the true principles under- 

 lying it. It is my present purpose to demonstrate the principles dominating 

 the plumages ami moults of no less than one hundred ami fifty North 

 American species of the great order Passeres, or Perching birds, and at the 

 same time indicate tin- wider application of these principles, which the study 

 of other groups leads me to believe prevail among all species of birds, 

 modified only by circumstances." 



Questions for Teachers and Students 



Use as ni.uiv as possible >>t the questions in E. 1.. No. 20; nearly all of them may be 

 adapted. What is the hole ol a tree? Describe how the age of a tree can he determined. 

 Who were the Druids? When and where did they live? Descrihe how forests store mois- 

 ture? What species of Tanager is found in your locality? Describe change of plumage of 

 male r.uiagcr. Have you ever seen one during process of change; give season? What are 

 the primaries? What are the rectrices? 



* The Sequence of Plumages and Moults of the Passerine Birds of New York, by Jonathan Dwight, Jr., Annals 

 N. Y. Acad. Scl., Vol, Mil, No. 1, pp. 7s to j6o, Oct, 19, 1900 (Plates 1 to VII), 



