PASSERINE BIRDS OF NEW YORK 311 



Very similar to T. alic'uc but browner above and with more buff below and about 

 the head, the linear spots deeper buff. Above, olive-brown, wings and tail darker, 

 the feathers of the pileum, back, lesser, median and sometimes part of greater 

 coverts and the rump with linear shaft streaks or terminal spots of buff. Below, 

 strongly washed with buff on throat, breast and sides, and heavily spotted with 

 black on the breast and sides of throat, the fore parts and sides of whiter ab- 

 domen indistinctly barred. Sides of head buff, spotted with black ; orbital ring 

 distinct, pale ochraceous buff; submalar stripes black. Bill and feet dark 

 pinkish buff remaining pale when older. 



3. First Winter Plumage acquired by a partial postjuvenal 

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

 plumage, the lesser coverts and not the rest of the wings nor 

 the tail. 



Similar to previous plumage but unstreaked above and less spotted below. Above, 

 uniform yellowish olive-brown ; below, together with the superciliary stripe and 

 distinct orbital ring, rich ochraceous buff, becoming abruptly white on the 

 breast, abdomen and crissum, the sides washed with pale olive-gray, and chains 

 of deltoid clove-brown spots on the throat and breast, paler on the fore part of 

 the abdomen. Spotted wing coverts remaining of the juvenal dress are charac- 

 teristic, except in precocious individuals. The tail uniform in color with the 

 back easily distinguishes this species from T. a. pallasii, and the more spotted 

 breast and striking orbital ring distinguish it from T. fuscescens. 



4. First Nuptial Plumage acquired by wear through which 

 much of the buff tint is lost, and the upper parts become grayer. 

 There is very little actual abrasion evident until late in the breed- 

 ing season. 



5. Adult Winter Plumage acquired by a complete post- 

 nuptial moult beginning the middle of August or not before the 

 first of September. Differs in most cases from first winter dress 

 in lacking the retained tell-tale wing coverts of the juvenal 

 plumage and the upper parts will average deeper in color. The 

 wings and tail will average darker and the coverts are without 

 terminal buff spots. Young and old become indistinguish- 

 able. 



6. Adult Nuptial Plumage acquired by wear as in the young 

 bird, from which in most cases the lack of retained wing coverts 

 distinguishes adults. 



Female. — The sexes and moults are alike. 



