COMMON REDSHANK TATLER. 341 



barred with dusky on the edges ; the quills as in the adults, 

 as is the tail ; the hind part of the back white, with dusky 

 streaks. The sides of the head, the sides and fore part of 

 the neck, the fore part of the breast, and the sides of the 

 body, are light grey, streaked with dusky ; the hind part 

 of the sides, and the lower tail-coverts undulated or barred 

 with the same. 



Progress toward Maturity. — The difference between 

 the young and the adult not being remarkable, it is unneces- 

 sary to enter into the minute details by which they may be 

 distinguished. Old birds are recognised by their having the 

 base of their bills bright red, the hind part of the back pure 

 white, and the lower parts of a lighter tint than in the 

 young. 



Remarks. — This species may in all stages be distin- 

 guished from Totanus fuscus by the secondary quills, which 

 are white in their terminal half. The specific character 

 given by M. Temminck to Totanus fuscus, viz. — base of the 

 lower mandible red ; rump pure Avhite ; upper tail-coverts 

 banded with white and dusky, is precisely applicable to the 

 present species, and therefore apt to deceive. 



The next two species are of a more slender form. Their 

 bills are like those of Totanus Calidris, but more slender; 

 their toes longer, but their basal webs much smaller. 



