104 BRITISH BIIWS' NESTS. 



most iiimieroiis at larger end. Size about 1-95 by 

 1-35 in. 



Time. — May. 



Bemarl-s. — Migratory, arriving on its breeding- 

 grounds at the end of April or beginning of May, 

 and leaving in July. The bird is said to winter 

 in Ireland. Note : a loud chee-weet, cliee-weet. 

 Local and other names : Cinerous Godwit, Green- 

 legged Horseman, Greater Plover. Sits close, and 

 is very demonstrative when disturbed. 



GROUSE, BLACK. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about 

 twenty-two inches. Bill short, curved downwards, 

 and black. Irides dark brown. Bare, erectile skin 

 over eyes, bright scarlet. Head, neck, back, wing- 

 coverts, rump, and tail black, richly glossed in 

 parts with blue-black. Wings brownish-black, with 

 a conspicuous white bar across the middle. The 

 tail feathers are elongated on either side, and form 

 an outward kind of curving hook. Chin, breast, 

 bell}', and flanks black; vent, thighs, and legs dark- 

 brown, mixed with white ; under tail-coverts white ; 

 toes and claws blackish-brown. 



The female is shorter by four or five inches, 

 and differs considerably in appearance. Her bill 

 is dark brown. Irides hazel. Plumage red or 

 rusty-brown, barred and freckled with black ; the 

 markings are largest on the breast, where the 

 feathers are bordered with greyish-white. The tail 

 is not forked, and the feathers are variegated with 

 rusty-red and black, and tipped with white. Under 

 tail-coverts nearly white. Legs mottled brown ; 

 toes and claws brown. 



