PLATE XXIV 
PEUMAGES 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. 
Hines 
Fic. 
ire 
ik 
2. 
Chick in down four days old, collected in Sikhim, May 2oth. 
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. 
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. 
