THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



leaving the nest. The southern migration of this bird 

 takes place in September. 



The adult Wryneck has the general ground colour 

 of the upper parts pale grey, delicately pencilled and 

 vermiculated, mottled and barred with darker grey and 

 various shades of brown ; the wings are brown, barred with 

 pale chestnut on the outer webs of the quills ; the tail is 

 similarly coloured to the rest of the upper parts ; the 

 under parts are buff marked with narrow bars and spots 

 of dark brown. Bill brown ; tarsi and toes brown ; 

 irides dark brown. Length 7 inches. The nestling does 

 not differ in colour to any marked degree from its 

 parents, but it possesses a peculiar heel-pad (conf . Ibis, 

 1891, p. 149). 



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