616 



SCOLOPACID^. 



broad external lateral margins of rich buffy yellow ; wing- 

 coverts dusky black, edged witli pale brown ; primary quill- 

 fcatliers dusky black, secondaries the same, but ending in a 

 Avliite point ; tertials brownish black, spotted and streaked 

 with rich reddish brown ; upper tail-coverts brown, edged 

 ■with buff; tail feathers greyish black; cheeks, chin, and 

 neck, greyish brown, spotted with darker brown ; breast, 

 belly, and vent white ; legs and toes dark greenish brown ; 

 claws black. 



The whole length eight inches to eight inches and a half. 

 The length of the beak one inch and a half; from the carpal 

 joint to the end of the first quill-feather, which is the longest, 

 four inches and three-eighths. 



Females are larger in size than the males, but not so 

 bright in their colours. In the plumage of winter the red- 

 dish brown parts are more inclined to ash grey. 



Young birds have not the brilliant green and purple re- 

 flections observable in old birds. 



