178 LOST AND VANISHING BIRDS 



chestnut, and black with blue and green metallic 

 reflections, is exhibited on these plumes, and it is 

 interesting to remark that each RufF assumes 

 similar colours to those displayed in previous 

 seasons. The wings are nearly uniform brown ; the 

 feathers of the lower back are brownish black, with 

 chestnut margins ; the under wing coverts and 

 axillaries are white, as are also the centre of the 

 belly and the under tail coverts ; the tail is brown. 

 The face in spring is bare of feathers, but covered 

 with tubercles of various tints, said to correspond 

 with that of the ruff or collar itself. The female 

 — smaller than the male — wants all this decorative 

 plumage, has the general colour of the upper parts 

 black, each feather with a greyish-white or chestnut- 

 buff margin ; the feathers of the breast and flanks 

 are brown, with pale margins ; the remainder of 

 the under surface is white ; the wings and tail 

 are similar to those of the male in colour. Young 

 birds resemble the female, but the buff margins 

 are more pronounced. Diagnostic characters of 

 this species are the white axillaries, and the 

 absence of white from the quills and central 

 upper tail coverts. The length of the adult male 

 is about twelve inches, the female two inches less. 



