The Stone-Curlew 



as the "Thick-Knee." In August old and young gather 

 together in flocks and shortly afterwards take their de- 

 parture, though occasionally individuals have been known 

 to pass the winter in this country. 



The sexes are alike in plumage. The upper parts are of 

 a uniform sandy brown, with dark streaks down the centres 

 of the feathers ; some of the wing coverts tipped with 

 white to form two narrow bars. Neck and breast pale 

 brown streaked with darker. Throat and belly white. 

 There is also a white stripe under each eye. Bill yellow 

 with a black tip ; legs greenish yellow. Length 16 in. ; 

 wing 9 '2 5 in. 



The young are similar to their parents but browner, and 

 the tail feathers are more barred. 



THE PRATINCOLE 



Olareola pratincola (Linnaeus) 



The Pratincole is a native of Northern Africa, Asia Minor, 

 and Palestine, but it also nests in certain suitable districts 

 in South Europe, where it is only known as a summer 

 visitor. In England it has not infrequently been taken on 

 both spring and autumn migrations. 



The adult has the upper parts clove brown. Tips of 

 secondaries, tail coverts, and bases of tail feathers white. 

 Under wing coverts chestnut. Throat buff, margined with 

 black ; breast brownish, turning to white on the belly. 

 Length 10'5 in. ; wing 7' 5 in. 



295 



