40 
THE CONDOR 
Yon XII 
as to the constant characteristics of the species in question, more especially as re- 
gards the females, seem to warrant the offering of the results of a careful study 
by my brother and myself of a large series of Agelaius tricolor , A. p/ioeniccus, 
and A. gubernator, duringwhich, however, no attempt was made to differentiate the 
two latter. 
Before setting forth these supposedly heretofore unnotist characteristics of 
tricolor , it seems advisable to enumerate in composite and elaborated form such 
Fig. 14. WING-TIPS. OF MATES OF AGELAIUS PIIOENICEUS, A. GUBERNATOR AND 
A. TRICOLOR , SHOWING RELATIVE I.ENGTHS OF PRIMARIES IN THE THREE FORMS 
constant factors as we have been able to confirm of those laid down for this species 
in the Key to North American Birds, 4th and 5th editions, of Coues, and Birds of 
North and Middle America, Ridgway, the best authorities at our command during 
this work, as follows: 
Male, lesser wing-coverts dark red (like venous bloodi^bordered by middle 
wing-coverts of pure white during the period of breeding, and of old ivory white to 
Fig. 15. WING-TIPS OF FEMAEES OF THE THREE FORMS, AS ABOVE 
light buff during the fall, winter and spring months, and immaturity; occasionally 
partially or wholly black in the latter phase. 
Male and female, plumage more glossy and of silky texture to the touch: only 
approacht by phoeniceus and gubernator during immaturity. 
Male and female adults in other than breeding plumage, and immatures, show 
grayish brown feather edgings; when present in phoeniceus and gubernator , such 
edgings are a ho ays rusty or rufous. 
Male and female, bill more slender than in the other forms of this genus. 
