THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
leaving the nest. ‘The southern migration of this bird 
takes place in September. 
The adult Wryneck has the general ground colour 
of the upper parts pale grey, delicately pencilled and 
vermiculated, mottled and barred with darker grey and 
various shades of brown; the wings are brown, barred with 
pale chestnut on the outer webs of the quills; the tail is 
similarly coloured to the rest of the upper parts; the 
under parts are buff marked with narrow bars and spots 
of dark brown. Bill brown; tarsi and toes brown ; 
irides dark brown. Length 7 inches. ‘The nestling does 
not differ in colour to any marked degree from its 
parents, but it possesses a peculiar heel-pad (conf. Ldzs, 
1891, p. 149). 
242 
