338 
examples were females ami thivleen males showing that this, 
also, is no sexual distinction, although the yellow patch is novel 
so vivid in females as in some males, and in the former the 
“return” margin is, I think, invariably white (see No. 75 in the 
list), Avith the dark primary webs more hair-broAvn than black. 
In considering this feature of the plumage, hoAvever, in connection 
Avith the number of Avax-tips, avo do not find that it always 
accompanies the highest numbers, though, on the other hand, 
rarely present Avith the loAvest, for, of the thirteen males in my 
list exhibiting these markings. No. 59, Avith four and three tip.s, 
had slightly developed “return” margins, Avhilst No. 42, Avith seven 
fine tips on each Aving, had no “ return ” margins. But if these 
represent the exceptions, at least one dozen birds entered in the list 
as having six, seven, and eight tips to the Avings, accompanied Avith 
more or less bright yelloAV patches on the primaries and the “return 
* I am indebted to the late Dr. BreAver, of Boston, U.S.A., for the 
folloAving extract from a letter of Capt. Charles Bendire, 1st Cavalry, U.S.A. , 
dated Camp Harney, Oregon, Jan. 10th, 1876. Tlie Avriter after stating 
tliat lie had recently obtained a fine series of Amioelis yarrulus, 
in various stages of iilumage quotes, as follows, from the ivork of 
Messrs. Baird, Brewer, & Ridgway (vol. i. p. :i97), as to tlie presumed 
distinction of sexes, and then proceeds to explain Iioav these statements 
differ from his own observations.— “ The male, with the outer web of primaries 
continued around ends of inner Avebs, also return ’ margins]. Female, 
Avithout Avhite on terminal edge of inner Avebs of primaries, and Avith the 
sealing-Avax appendages smaller.” — “According to my experience,” says 
Capt. Bendire, “ I find that in this case the sexes are exactly alike as far as 
the markings of the primaries are concerned. I took three specimens, 
evidently very old females, in Avhich the Avhite involves the inner webs of the 
primaries as Avell as the outer, and in Avhich there is not the .slightest | 
difference, in general appearance, from the old males. I also find that there is 
a great deal of difference in the colour and its breadth, varying in the former m 
from bright gamboge yelloAV, in old birds, to a pale straiv colour and a light ; 
down [1] in younger ones ; and likewise from half an inch to onc-cighth Avidc. } 
The females in question have been very carefully examined by me. In old * 
specimens, the shafts of the tail-feathers in the yclloAv band are bright -t 
vermilion red.” It Avill be seen from the above, that Capt. Bendire’s ^ 
observations in 1876 agree, as to the markings on the primaries in \ 
both sexes, Avith my own in 1866—67 ; but avc dillcr as to intensity of i 
colouring, fineness of wax-tips, and red tips to the shafts of the tail-fcatheis, 
being an evidence of mature aye instead of, as I have suggested, being an 
evidence merely of constitutional vigour in individuals. 
i 
