The Yellow-bjlled Tropic-Bird 51 



about one inch beyond. First six primaries of wing, black 

 with inner edge and tips white. 



Tertials, black, with tips — white. A narrow black line ex- 

 tending from them forward to bend of wing. 



Several grayish streaks on flanks. 



Larger quills of wings and tail — black with white tips. 



The two central feathers of the twelve forming the tail are 

 very much elongated and usually are tinted with salmon pink, 

 except at the tip where the color fades into white. 



Bill may be either yellow or orange-red. In the latter case 

 the plumage is (strongly) tinted with a beautiful salmon 

 pink — this tint is strongest on sides of neck and breast and on 

 the two central tail feathers. In birds having the yellow bill, 

 the pink is confined to the tail and is sometimes wanting 

 there. The red billed birds are fully adult in plumage, though 

 breeding pairs may consist of both varieties. 



Legs — pale bluish-flesh, this color extending almost to first 

 joint of toes. The four toes are connected in one web and 

 these and the webs are black. 



Eyes — bluish or brownish-black. 



Egg — purplish brown with blotches of darker brown, thick- 

 est at larger end. 



Dimensions. 



Total length — 31 inches. 



Long tail feathers averaging 18 inches, sometimes 23 

 inches. 



Wing — 11^4 inches, extent 38 inches. 



Bill — along ridge, 2 inches ; tip to gape, 2^2 inches. 



Tarsus — 1 inch, middle toe 1^ inches. 



A BREWER BLACKBIRD ROOST IN REDLANDS. 



BY FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY. 



The Brewer Blackbird is a handsome bird, with glossy, 

 greenish black body, ^of -purplish black head and neck, and 

 strikingly pale yellow eyes. He moves with a dove-like mo- 

 tion of the head and the sideways swing of a strong, habitual 



