THE WARBLERS. 183 



Sylvia rufa, Newt. ed. Yarr., i., p. 406 (1873); Dresser, B. 

 Eur., ii., p. 377, pi. 57 (1876). 



Adult Male. Greyish-brown above, with the wings rather 

 darker, the head ashy-grey, contrasting somewhat with the 

 back, the upper tail-coverts also ashy-grey ; the tail-feathers 

 dark greyish- brown, the outer ones paler and broadly edged 

 with white; wing-coverts edged with pale chestnut, and the 

 innermost secondaries with broad chestnut edges ; under sur- 

 face of the body white, the breast pinkish or vinous, contrasting 

 with the pure white of the throat and abdomen, the flanks 

 rather browner; axillaries and under wing-coverts pale grey; 

 quill-lining light brown ; bill dark brown, paler at the base of 

 the lower mandible ; feet and claws pale brown ; iris light 

 hazel. Total length, 5*6 inches; culmcn, 0*55; wing, 27; 

 tail, 2 -3 ; tarsus, o'S. 



Adult Female. Similar to the male, but rather browner, the 

 head and upper tail-coverts being more greyish-brown like the 

 back ; the under surface of the body is whiter, the pink tinge 

 of the breast being less distinct, or altogether absent. Total 

 length, 5-5 inches; wing, 2-8. 



Winter Plumage. The grey of the head and the pink colour 

 on the breast entirely disappears in the male, which is exactly 

 like the female at this season of the year. The birds in winter 

 plumage are rather browner than they are in summer, and, like 

 the young, have the head like the back. 



Young. Browner than the adults, the head being like the 

 back, the rufous on the wing-coverts strongly pronounced ; 

 throat and abdomen white ; the lower throat, breast, and sides 

 of the body sandy-buff, without any tinge of pink. 



NOTE. The Whitethroat can always be distinguished at any age by its 

 very small first, or bastard, primary quill, which never extends beyond the 

 tips of the primary-coverts. The upper and under tail-coverts are never 

 barred as in the preceding species, and the pale chestnut edgings to the 

 wing-coverts and quills are also a distinguishing character. 



Range in Great Britain. A summer visitor, arriving early in 

 April. It is found everywhere in Engand, Wales, and Ireland, 

 and also over the greater part of Scotland, excepting the north- 



