114 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



red on the crown or breast like the male Linnet or Redpole ; but the male 

 Twite has the red on the- rump like the latter bird. The general colour is 

 pale reddish brown, shading into greyish white on the belly and under tail- 

 coverts, each feather of the upper parts, the breast, and the flanks having a 

 dark brown centre. The wings and tail are dark brown as in the Linnet ; 

 but the white edging to the middle quills is less marked, and the broad 

 white margins of the inner webs of the tail-feathers are replaced by an ill- 

 defined pale brown edge. The legs, feet, and claws are dark brown, as in 

 the Linnet, and the irides are also hazel, but the bill is yellow. The female 

 is slightly paler and has no red on the rump. After the autumn moult, 

 the pale reddish-brown margins of the feathers obscure more of the dark 

 brown centres. The yellow bill is assumed with the autumn moult, but 

 fades into pale horn-colour before the next moult takes place. 



