THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
primaries, forms a conspicuous wing-bar. ‘The under parts 
are pale chestnut, shading into white on the abdomen, 
and the flanks are spotted with black. Bill black; tarsi 
and toes rufous brown; irides brown. Length about 
6% inches. ‘The female is duller and browner than the 
male in colour. ‘The nestling closely resembles the adult 
in general colour. In autumn the bird is very different 
in appearance, owing to the pale chestnut fringes that 
conceal most of the black plumage, and the white parts 
are suffused with buff, while the margins to the quill- 
feathers are broader and yellower. ‘The bill also is yellow 
at this season, and during the winter. 
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