PLATE XXIV 



PLUMAGES OF THE BLACK-BACKED KALEEGE 



Gennaeus melanonotus (Blyth) 



Even when young Black-backed Kaleege have moulted late, the shape, pattern and colour of the adult 

 plumage are not fully attained until after the first year. 



Fig. I. Chick in down four days old, collected in Sikhim, May 20th. 



Fig. 2. The sexes are clearly distinguishable in the juvenile plumage, the female showing much 



warmer, more buffy tones, especially on the head, back and tail. In this individual, the 



down is still present on the face, concealing the reddish skin beneath. 

 Fig. 3. The juvenile male is darker throughout, with narrower white tips to the feathers. The 



incoming dark, central tail-feathers are not clear black, but coarsely vermiculated with 



grey. 



