THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
winter. The adult, with its long, straight bill and large 
eye, situated so far back in the head, is a very beautiful 
bird, having the general colour of the upper parts chest- 
nut mottled and pencilled with black and grey. The 
black tail, marked with chestnut, with its row of silver- 
like spots at the tip on the under surface, is also a well- 
marked feature. ‘The under parts are buff barred with 
brown. Bill dull pink, shading into dark brown at the 
point ; tarsi and toes pale flesh-colour ; irides dark brown. 
Length 15 inches. ‘The female resembles the male in 
colour. The young in down are chestnut, marked with 
black and white above, buff below. 
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