WILLOW WOODWREN. 373 



brown, all edged externally with yellowish-green, excepting 

 the first and second quills, and the outer tail-feather, which are 

 whitish on the edge. The lower wing-coverts, the edge of the 

 wing, and the lower tibial feathers, are gamboge yellow. A 

 streak from the bill over the eye yellow, fading behind into 

 white ; a dusky loral streak ; and an obscure yellow streak 

 under the eye. The cheeks and sides of the neck are pale oliva- 

 ceous, or greenish-grey, tinged with yellow ; the fore-neck 

 greyish-white, streaked with yellow ; the throat greyish- white, 

 as are the sides, on which however are yellow streaks ; the 

 breast silvery white ; the hind part of the abdomen, and the 

 lower tail-coverts, tinged with yellow. 



Length to end of tail 5 inches ; extent of wings 7f ; wing 

 from flexure 2^^ ; tail 21*^2 '■> ^^^^ along the ridge 4^ twelfths, 

 along the edge of low^er mandible /^ ; tarsus 9 4 twelfths ; 

 first toe Sj twelfths, its claw {^ ; second toe 3^ twelfths, its 

 claw If twelfths; third toe -^^, its claw ^^tj ; fourth toe 3f 

 twelfths, its claw 1^ twelfths. 



Female. — The female is a little larger, and has its colours 

 slightly duller, but in external appearance is otherwise similar, 

 the upper parts being greyish-brown tinged with green, the 

 lower silvery white, with the same yellow markings as in the 

 male. 



Length 5^% inches ; extent of wings 8 ; wing from flexure 

 2i% ; tail 2/jj ; tarsus \^ ; first toe 3^ twelfths, its claw j^ ; 

 second toe {\, its claw 2j twelfths ; third toe ^^, its claw 2^ 

 twelfths ; fourth toe 3j twelfths, its claw ^^. 



Variations. — I have not observed any other remarkable 

 variations than those connected with the periodical change of 

 plumage. The above descriptions refer to individuals having 

 their feathers perfect. When these birds arrive in this country 

 in April, the old individuals have their plumage considerably 

 worn, in consequence of which the yellowish-green edgings 

 are diminished, and the yellow tints more or less obliterated. 

 At the same period, individuals are met with having the plu- 

 mage in all respects perfect, and of a much brighter colour. 



