THE WHINCHAT 
The male Whinchat is dark brown on the upper parts, 
the feathers having paler brown margins, and there is a 
pale streak over the eye; the ear-coverts are black, and 
the under parts are rufous ; the wings and tail are dark 
brown, the smaller coverts of the former white, and the 
latter has the basal half white, except the two centre 
feathers, which are white at the extreme base only. ‘The 
female is much paler, and the black and white parts of 
the plumage are not so pronounced. Bill, tarsi, and toes 
black; irides brown. Length nearly 5 inches. The 
nestling resembles the female, but is more spotted above, 
and the breast is marked with darker brown. 
