134 BRITISH BIRDS. 
white. Bill yellow, black at the tip; legs, feet, and claws dark brown; 
irides hazel. The hind clawis more than twice as long as any of the other 
claws and only slightly curved, resembling somewhat that of the Meadow- 
Pipit. The adult female in breeding-plumage differs from the male in 
having pale margins to the black feathers of the head, throat, and flanks, 
and the feathers of the chin and upper throat are buffish white, with half- 
concealed black bases; the chestnut feathers on the nape have also dark 
centres and pale margins. After the autumn moult all the feathers have 
pale edges ; but adult males may be distinguished by the concealed black 
centres to the feathers of the throat and the absence of the dark centres on 
the feathers of the nape. Males of the year closely resemble adult females, 
but differ from them in having no dark centres to the feathers on the nape. 
Females of the year scarcely show any concealed black bases to the feathers 
of the throat or breast. Young in first plumage resemble females of the 
year, but are more rufous above and more streaked on the upper parts 
and back. 
