Russell et al.,

I think the guide was refering to UPPER wing coverts, which I think were
buffy, thus a female. Certainly did not show the male head pattern
described.

Gene.

On Tue, 5 Dec 1995, Russell Rogers wrote:

> The points that Wes makes as to why the Longspur was a female are good
> points for showing that Longspurs of either sex are variable in the
> winter, but they are on diagnostic for female plumage.
>
> Checking the master guide it dose say that CCLO females can have traces
> of Chestnut on the nape and black on the belly, so can the males.
> However, the Identication Guide to North American Passerines states;
>
> Age-
> "Check also for the amount of white in the lesser and middle coverts of
> Hatch Year/Sex Year birds and After Hatch Year/After Sex Year males in
> both basic and alternate plumage.
>
> Sex-
> Males: Crown and breast black or mixed black and chestnut (March-August)
> or black with brown mottling (August-March): nape chestnut or tinged with
> chestnut: lesser coverts mostly white.
>
> Female: Crown, breast, nape, and lesser coverts buffy brown.
>
> I was fortunate enough to watch the bird preen its underwing coverts from
> about 10 feet. They were white.
>
> I would still say, that this bird was a male.
>
> As always, I am still open for comments to sway me the other way.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------
> Russell Rogers
> 4510 Glenn Way SW
> Seattle, WA 98116
> (206) 935-6280
> rrogers at halcyon.com
> --------------------------------------------------------
>