THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



primaries, forms a conspicuous wing-bar. The under parts 

 are pale chestnut, shading into white on the abdomen, 

 and the flanks are spotted with black. Bill black ; tarsi 

 and toes rufous brown ; irides brown. Length about 

 6} inches. The female is duller and browner than the 

 male in colour. The nestling closely resembles the adult 

 in general colour.* In autumn the bird is very different 

 in appearance, owing to the pale chestnut fringes that 

 conceal most of the black plumage, and the white parts 

 are suffused with buff, while the margins to the quill- 

 feathers are broader and yellower. The bill also is yellow 

 at this season, and during the winter. 



