PASSERINE BIRDS OF NEW YORK 273 



Above, dull olive-green, browner on the pileum. ^^'ings and tail clove-brown 

 edged with dull olive-green ; two wing bands buff. Below, dull brownish 

 white, pale straw-color on the abdomen. Sides of head drab ; eyelids white. 

 Bill and feet pinkish buff becoming dusky. 



3. First Winter Plumage acquired by a partial postjuvenal 

 moult, beginning the middle of July, which involves the body 

 plumage and the. wing coverts, but not the rest of the wings nor 

 the tail. 



Unlike, the previous plumage. Above, grayish olive-green, an area of concealed 

 chestnut on the back. Wing coverts black, edged with olive-green ; two wing 

 bands white. Below, pale canary-yellow, streaked on the sides of the throat 

 and breast with dull black veiled by yellowish edgings. Malar stripe and 

 transocular streak grayish black ; orbital ring, suborbital region and obscui-e 

 superciliary stripe white, yellow tinged ; auriculars mouse-gray. 



4. First Nuptial Plumage acquired by a partial prenuptial 

 moult which involves chiefly the crown, sides of head, chin and 

 throat but not the rest of the body plumage the wings nor the 

 tail as shown by specimens taken in Jamaica, \V. I., November 

 27th, December 30th, January 3d, 13th, 19th, 24th and 31st. 

 The early date at which the prenuptial moult takes place is in- 

 teresting and explains in a measure why it is so difficult to de- 

 termine by examination of the feathers whether a moult has 

 taken place. The few feathers replaced suffer from wear almost 

 as much as those adjacent and when we first see such birds in 

 May the evidences of moult are often completely masked. The 

 black auriculars and transocular stripe and the yellow feathers 

 of the superciliary stripe, the chin and throat are assumed, wear 

 bringing the chestnut of the back into prominence. Young and 

 old become practically indistinguishable. 



5. Adult Winter Plumage acquired by a complete post- 

 nuptial moult in July. Similar to first winter dress, but with 

 more chestnut on the back and the streaks below broader and 

 extending to the chin. The transocular .stripe and auriculars 

 are darker ; the orbital region and superciliary line yellower. 



6. Adult Nuptial Plumage acquired apparently by a partial 

 prenuptial moult as in the young bird. Several specimens taken 

 in Florida in March and early April show pin feathers on the 

 head and throat. These birds, judging by the amount of chest- 



Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., XIII, Oct. 18, 1900 — 18. 



