THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



winter. The adult, with its long, straight bill and large 

 eye, situated so far back in the head, is a very beautiful 

 bird, having the general colour of the upper parts chest- 

 nut mottled and pencilled with black and grey. The 

 black tail, marked with chestnut, with its row of silver- 

 like spots at the tip on the under surface, is also a well- 

 marked feature. The under parts are buff barred with 

 brown. Bill dull pink, shading into dark brown at the 

 point ; tarsi and toes pale flesh-colour ; irides dark brown. 

 Length 15 inches. The female resembles the male in 

 colour. The young in down are chestnut, marked with 

 black and white above, buff below. 



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