THE WHINCHAT 



The male Whinchat is dark brown on the upper parts, 

 the feathers having paler brown margins, and there is a 

 pale streak over the eye ; the ear-coverts are black, and 

 the under parts are rufous ; the wings and tail are dark 

 brown, the smaller coverts of the former white, and the 

 latter has the basal half white, except the two centre 

 feathers, which are white at the extreme base only. The 

 female is much paler, and the black and white parts of 

 the plumage are not so pronounced. Bill, tarsi, and toes 

 black ; irides brown. Length nearly 5 inches. The 

 nestling resembles the female, but is more spotted above, 

 and the breast is marked with darker brown. 



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