BIRDS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS. 
153 
sides, a beautiful pearl gray, except the inner edge of 
the secondaries, with their tips, and those of the scapu- 
laries, which are white. Quills, with the upper parts gray, 
dusky towards the tips, with the outer web of the outer 
feather, and a narrow basal line along the inner web of 
the terminal portion of each feather, black. Basal portion 
and shaft of each feather, together with the margins of 
the inner webs and whole under surface of the wing, white. 
Rump, upper tail-coverts, tail-feathers, abdomen, and un- 
der tail-coverts, pure white, except the terminal portion 
of the outer webs of the two outer tail-feathers on each 
side, which are dusky. The chin, upper part of the throat, 
and a line running from the base of the bill under the eye 
to the occiput, also white ; the chin and throat are some- 
times tinged with ashy. The under eyelids are black. 
Feet, small ; tarsus, short. The transverse scales on the 
tarsi and toes are very much ridged ; the . upper part 
of the webs and under surface of the feet are covered 
with small, granulous protuberances; both of these facts 
give the feet a peculiar appearance. Color, bright ver- 
milion. 
Young. — The young-of-the-year, the ensuing spring, 
differs from this in having the bill longer thicker, and more 
curved, with a small part of the basal and a spot near 
the tip of the upper mandible dusky; the bill is not so 
intense in color. There are a few white feathers near the 
base of the bill in the black of the head. The upper parts 
generally, with the exceptions of the wing-coverts, which 
are darker, are lighter. The outer webs of all the tail- 
feathers are dusky. The under parts are paler. The feet 
are not so intense in color. 
Young-of-the-year in autumn^ differs from the preceding 
* This stage of plumage has been before unknown to authors, at which 
I am somewhat surprised. The specimens that I am describing were shot 
with the old, who exhibited considerable solicitude. 
7 * 
