42 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XI 
markings consist, on the individual feather, of a double row of round white spots 
on a dark background, in the juvenile there is a similar double row of black spots 
on a light colored feather. The median line of the breast is suffused with cinnamon 
and the lower abdomen and crissum are dull black. 
Number 2 shows a few white-spotted feathers at the upper end of the pectoral 
tracts, while the remainder of the series illustrates the downward extension of this 
growth. New, glossy black feathers are beginning to appear on the flanks at the 
same time that the spotted breast feathers are sprouting; but the rich chestnut of 
the center of the breast is the last of the body plumage to be acquired, even num- 
ber 8 (otherwise in perfect plumage except for the head), showing a line of the 
pale colored juvenile feathers. The changes in the upper parts are much less ap- 
parent, number 1 being streaked above, practically like the adult, tho on close 
examination it is seen to lack, to some extent, the exquisite markings and delicate 
FIG. 2. — MEARNS QUAIL: NO. 1, MALE JUVENAL! NO. 2, MALE ADULT; NO. 3, FEMALE 
JUVENAL; NO. 4, FEMALE ADULT 
pencillings possessed by the latter. It lacks also the black spotted tertials, and 
blue greater wing coverts, these being nearly perfect in the stage reached by num- 
ber 8. I secured no specimens illustrating the acquisition of the conspicuous and 
curious facial markings, and it seems remarkable that the plumage of the other 
parts, body and wings, should be entirely renewed before there is the beginning of 
any change on the head. In the young of both sexes the head is marked practi- 
cally as in the adult female except that the occiput is transversely barred, while in 
the latter it is marked with longitudinal streakings. There is a rounded occipital 
crest, similar to that of the adult tho not as full. In those birds which have 
nearly or quite completed the change in the body plumage, there is a line of pin 
feathers appearing on the center of the occiput, the beginning of the change on 
the head. 
