68 BRITISH BIBDS' NESTS. 



with reddish-buff and white. Secondaries black, the 

 outer web of each forming a patch of dark green ; 

 primaries greyish-brown. Tail-coverts ash-grey, 

 elongated narrow-pointed feathers black, rest dark 

 brown bordered with white. From the side of the 

 head level with the eye a white streak runs down 

 each side of the neck, widening gradually as it- 

 descends until the middle of the neck is reached, 

 from thence it opens out round the front of the 

 neck, breast, and belly. Sides grey; vent and 

 under tail-coverts black. Legs, toes, and webs 

 blackish-brown. 



The female is somewhat smaller ; and her plumage 

 is made up of varying shades of brown, the darkest 

 colours in the centre of each feather and on the 

 upper parts of the body. During July, August, 

 and September the male assumes the dress of the 

 female. 



Situation and Locality. On the ground amongst 

 coarse grass, rushes, and similar herbage growing 

 near ponds, lakes, and arms of the sea. It is a 

 very rare breeder indeed in our islands, having only 

 been reported from two or three quarters of Ireland 

 and one or two in Scotland and the Hebrides. 



Materials. Reeds, grass, and other kinds of 

 dead vegetation, lined with brownish tufts of 

 down, faintly tipped with white, from the bird's 

 own body. 



Eggs. Six to ten, usually seven or eight, 

 smooth, rather elongated, and " greenish- white,'' 

 according to Mr. Saunders, and " pale huffish-green," 

 according to Mr. Dixon, in colour. Size about 2 -15 

 by 1-55 in. 



Time. May. 



Remarks. Migratory as a rule, wintering with 

 us and spending the summer in Iceland. It is 



