DABCHICK. : 127 
The wings in the stretch are about one foot four inches; 
primaries, dark brown, in winter some of them are greyish 
white; secondaries, white at the base and on the inner webs, 
apparent when the bird is flying; in winter they are greyish. 
Legs and toes, dull blackish green, the insides paler, and 
with a tinge of yellowish red. ‘They are large in size in 
proportion to that of the bird. 
The plumage of the young chick is dark brown on the 
head, neck, and back, with longitudinal streaks of pale 
yellowish brown; the breast silvery white. In the first year’s 
plumage the bill is pale yellowish brown at the tip, the 
remainder brownish horn-colour; the head, neck on the back, 
and nape, rather pale brown, with a mixture of grey and 
rufous; the sides of the neck still lighter, eventuating in 
reddish grey; the chin white; the breast greyish white; the 
sides clouded with brown. 
