The variability noted is mainly in the degree of compactness of the visceral mass in Bombycilla and in phainopepla.
The phainopepla is a beautiful fellow, with an elegant pointed crest, and plumage shining like satin.
Dchūrr, dchūrr; when flying, a shrill huit like call-note of phainopepla.
In phainopepla there is much variability in this character; some specimens have a narrower antorbital bridge than others.
phainopepla has various call notes, and in addition, a succession of notes which are run together.
Postjuvenal molt and the appearance of sexual characters of plumage in phainopepla nitens.
In phainopepla n. nitens and in members of the genus Ptilogonys, more flaring occurs in the antorbital region.
Possibly some birds survive not because of, but in spite of, their coloration, and phainopepla may be a case of this sort.
In the family, phainopepla and Phainoptila show the least flaring in this region.
It may be seen that in Bombycilla and in phainopepla, the tracts are much shortened.