in Various Species of North American Birds. 
17 
down from birth until of large size, when the autumnal plumage is 
immediately assumed; while among Prcecoces the young of the Tetrao- 
nidce , of Philohela minor , and of some of the Ballidce (well illus- 
trated by a good suite of Pallus virginianus), pass in succession 
through two well-defined primal stages, — the downy one character- 
izing their own group and the first plumage of Altrices. In the 
Anatidce, and probably some other Natatores, the remiges and rec- 
tricefc are not developed until the young bird is almost fully grown 
and the autumnal clothing-plumage nearly perfect. A few fami- 
lies, as the Ardeidce, have not been fully investigated, and may fur- 
nish additional interesting exceptions. 
In concluding these prefatory remarks, I wish to gratefully ac- 
knowledge an act of generosity on the part of Mr. Robert Ridgway. 
He had some time since made investigations respecting the early 
stages of plumage of birds, and had even sent descriptions of the 
first plumage of some North American Warblers for publication in the 
“Bulletin,” when, learning of my prior researches and somewhat more 
extensive material, he very kindly withdrew his paper and placed 
the whole result of his work in my hands, thus enabling me to add 
a number of species not represented in my collection. The descrip- 
tions of these are presented in Mr. Ridgway’s own words, and indi- 
cated by quotation marks and his initials. I desire also to express 
my thanks to my friend Mr. J. A. Allen for valuable suggestions 
and information. 
1. Turdus mustelinua. 
First plumage : female. Generally"similar to adult, but with the feathers 
of crov r n streaked centrally with buff ; “ rusty-yellow triangular spots at 
the ends of the wing-coverts and a decided brownish-yellow wash on 
the breast.” From a specimen in my collection, shot by Mr. W. D. Scott 
at Coalburgh, West Virginia, July 25, 1872. This bird is perhaps a little 
past the first stage of plumage, most of the feathers of the upper parts 
being those of the autumnal dress. 
2. Turdus pallasi. 
First plumage : female. Remiges and rectrices as in adult, but darker 
and duller; rump and tail-coverts bright rusty-yellow; rest of upper 
parts, including wing-coverts, dark reddish-brown, each feather with a 
central tear-shaped spot of golden-yellow : entire under parts rich buff, 
fading to soiled white on abdomen and anal region ; each feather on jugu- 
lum and breast broadly tipped with dull black, so broadly, indeed, that 
this color covers nearly four fifths of the parts where it occurs ; rest of 
under parts, with exception of abdomen and crissum, which with the 
