268 Wild Birds and their Haunts 



back, which is still farther broken by the pure white of 

 the base of the tail and its coverts, which form a beau- 

 tiful band, appearing very conspicuous during flight, and 

 presenting a characteristic mark in the distribution of 

 the colouring of the whole genus. The under parts are 

 pale chestnut-brown, becoming paler towards the vent. 

 In the female the colours are less clear, and are marked 

 with more brown. In the young birds the tips of the 

 feathers are brown, and the dark markings are indistinct, 

 the pale colours of the edges of the feathers of the wings 

 broader, and the breast is marked with narrow dark 

 bars. It is conjectured that the winter dress is very 

 much more subdued and minus the distinct coloration 

 which characterises the bird in the summer or nuptial 

 season. As spring advances the sombre feather tips 

 give place to unsullied tints ; the same occurs with the 

 grey portions of the back, which is supposed to be more 

 or less tinted with brown. 



In the north of England or I might say Northumber- 

 land this dainty bird makes its appearance usually from 

 the middle to the twenty-fourth of April. It has cer- 

 tainly been observed earlier on occasions and so has its 

 companion arrival the Sand-Martin. 



When the one puts in an appearance the naturalist 

 eagerly anticipates the advent of the latter. 



In the spring of 191 1, I noted its appearance (wheat- 

 ear) on April 20th, and the following year on April 14th, 

 the Sand-Martin following a week later. 



