BRITISH BIRDS. I 19 



tongue. With the bill it also turns over and tosses 

 the fallen leaves in search of insects which shelter 

 underneath. The crown of the head is ash colour; 

 the nape, and back part of the neck, are black, 

 marked with three bars of rusty red : a black line 

 extends from the corners of the mouth to the eyes, 

 the orbits of which are pale buff; the whole under 

 parts are yellowish white, numerously barred with 

 dark waved lines. The tail consists of twelve 

 feathers, which, like the quills, are black, and in- 

 dented across with reddish spots on the edges: the 

 tip is ash above, and glossy white below. The legs 

 are short, feathered to the knees, and in some are 

 bluish, in others, sallow flesh colour. The upper 

 parts of the plumage are so marbled, spotted, 

 barred, streaked, and variegated, that to describe 

 them with accuracy would be difficult and tedious. 

 The colours, consisting of black, white, grey, red, 

 brown, rufous, and yellow, 'are so disposed in rows, 

 crossed and broken at intervals by lines and marks 

 of different shapes, that the whole seem to the eye, 

 at a little distance, blended together and confused, 

 which makes the bird appear exactly like the 

 withered stalks and leaves of ferns, sticks, moss, 

 and grasses, which form the back ground of the 

 scenery by which it is sheltered, in its moist and 

 .solitary retreats. The sportsman only, by being 

 accustomed to it, is enabled to discover it, and his 

 leading marks are its full dark eye, and glossy 

 silver- white tipped tail. The female differs very 

 little from the male, except in being a little larger, 

 and less brilliant in her colours.* 



* The flesh of this bird is held in very high estimation, and hence 

 .it is eagerly sought after by the sportsman. It is hardly necessary 



