DABCHICK. 127 



The wings in the stretch are about one foot four inches; 

 primaries, dark brown, in winter some of them are greyish 

 white; secondaries, white at the base and on the inner webs, 

 apparent when the bird is flying; in winter they are greyish. 

 Legs and toes, dull blackish green, the insides paler, and 

 with a tinge of yellowish red. They are large in size in 

 proportion to that of the bird. 



The plumage of the young chick is dark brown on the 

 head, neck, and back, with longitudinal streaks of pale 

 yellowish brown; the breast silvery white. In the first year's 

 plumage the bill is pale yellowish brown at the tip, the 

 remainder brownish horn-colour; the head, neck on the back, 

 and nape, rather pale brown, with a mixture of grey and 

 rufous ; the sides of the neck still lighter, eventuating in 

 reddish grey; the chin white; the breast greyish white; the 

 sides clouded with brown. 



