122 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



feather^ but very seldom strongly marked before tbe end of February or 

 early in March. Males of the year resemble females^ but occasionally have 

 traces of red on the breast and rump. Young in first plumage are much 

 more streaked on the underparts and have no red on the crown. The 

 characteristics of the allied forms have already been pointed out in the 

 preliminary remarks to this species. The Redpole may always be dis- 

 tinguished after the autumn moult by its red headj dark chin-spot, and 

 pale wing-bars. 



