WHINCHAT. 59 



streak runs from its base to the eye, and over this a broad 

 white one on each side, nearly meeting at the back; iris, dark 

 brown; under it is a dark brown patch; bristles beset the 

 base of the bill. Head on the sides, dark brown or brownish 

 black; on the crown, neck on the back and nape, mottled 

 brown, the centre of each feather being dark, and the edges 

 pale; chin, white, which colour runs back from it on the 

 side of the neck to the shoulder; throat and breast, fawn- 

 colour, ending in pale buff, duller on the sides; back, mottled 

 brown, the centre of each feather dark, the remainder paler; 

 on the lower part it is yellowish reddish brown, streaked with 

 blackish brown. 



The wings reach to within half an inch of the end of the 

 tail, expanding to the width of nine inches and a quarter; 

 the first quill feather is very short less than an inch in 

 length, the second equal to the fifth, the third the longest, 

 the fourth nearly as long ; greater wing coverts, dusky black, 

 those next the body pure white, as are some of the lesser 

 wing coverts; primaries, dark brownish black, some of the 

 outer ones white at the base; secondaries, dark brown, white 

 at the -base; tertiaries, dark brown, edged with light brown. 

 Tail, short, white at the base, except the two middle feathers, 

 the remainder dark brownish black, edged and tipped with 

 pale brown; the end half of the tail is greyish black under- 

 neath; under tail coverts, white tinged with light ferruginous. 

 Legs, toes, and claws, polished black, the latter long, slender, 

 and very sharp. 



As the season advances, the plumage shews darker, the pale 

 edges of the feathers wearing off; the wings become of a 

 more uniform but lighter brown, the neck in front and 

 breast paler, and the white more pure: towards autumn these 

 alterations are still more strong. 



The female resembles the male, but her colours are less 

 bright and distinct, and the white patches less extensive. 

 Length, about five inches, or rather over; the streak over 

 the eye is yellowish white. The breast has more yellow and 

 less red in its tint; the back has the spots broader, and of 

 a much lighter brown. The wings expand to the width of 

 nine inches and a trifle over. 



The young, in their nestling plumage, are mottled with 

 grey and white; but when fully fledged in the autumn, re- 

 semble the female; until then the bill is greyish brown; the 

 white streak is wanting, and the well-defined black band 



