434 SCOLOPACID.E. 



In a specimen, kept over two summers, at the Gardens of 

 the Zoological Societj^ in the Regent's Park, the moulting 

 of the ruflf commenced on the bead and neck, about the 

 29tb of Marcb, 1832 ; tbe featbers on tbe body were not 

 tbrown off ; tbe bead and neck were left destitute of plum- 

 age, but tbe featbers of tbe body remained in a perfect 

 state. Tbe new ruff and bead featbers appeared almost 

 immediately, and were perfected by tbe 4tb of May. Tbis 

 bird began to sbed bis ruff featbers on tbe 8tb of June, 

 and by tbe 6tb of July be bad lost tbem all. 



A female, killed at tbe end of April, from wliicb tbe re- 

 presentation was taken, bad tbe beak one inch and a quarter 

 in lengtb, dark brown at tbe point, but ligbter in colour at 

 tbe base ; irides dusky-brown ; bead and neck asb-brown, 

 tbe centre of eacb of tbe small featbers darker tban tbe 

 margin, producing a spotted appearance ; scapulars, back, 

 wing-coverts, and tertials, nearly black, witb broad asb- 

 brown margins ; some of tbe great wing-coverts and 

 tertials barred transversely witb pale reddisb-browu ; pri- 

 maries dull black, witb wbite sliafts ; secondaries edged 

 witb pale browuisb-wbite ; rump, and upper tail-coverts, 

 brown ; tail-featbers asb-brown, barred transversely witb pale 

 reddisb-brown and black ; chin greyisb-wbite ; featbers of 

 tbe front of tbe neck, tbe breast, and sides, black in tbe 

 centre, with broad greyisb-wbite margins ; belly, vent, and 

 under tail-coverts, wbite ; legs and toes pale yellowisb- 

 brown ; claws black. 



The wbole lengtb of a female is ten incbes and a balf. 

 Tbe wing, from the carpal joint to tbe end of tbe first quill- 

 featber, wbicli is tbe longest, six incbes and a quarter. 



In tbe nestling tbe upper parts are rufous-buff; crown 

 black witb a ligbt central streak ; two dark loral stripes 

 meet at tbe nape, wbicb is brown Avitb a dark bar ; a 

 broad black streak down tbe middle of tbe back, and two 

 lateral ones; under parts warm unspotted buff; bill black; 

 legs pale brown. 



