134 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



white. Bill yellow, black at the tip; legs, feet, and claws dark brown j 

 irides hazel. The hind claw is more than twice as long as any of the other 

 claws and only slightly curved, resembling somewhat that of the Meadow- 

 Pipit. The adult female in breeding-plumage differs from the male in 

 having pale margins to the black feathers of the head, throat, and flanks, 

 and the feathers of the chin and upper throat are huffish white, with half- 

 concealed black bases ; the chestnut feathers on the nape have also dark 

 centres and pale margins. After the autumn moult all the feathers have 

 pale edges ; but adult males may be distinguished by the concealed black 

 centres to the feathers of the throat and the absence of the dark centres on 

 the feathers of the nape. Males of the year closely resemble adult females, 

 but differ from them in having no dark centres to the feathers on the nape. 

 Females of the year scarcely show any concealed black bases to the feathers 

 of the throat or breast. Young in first plumage resemble females of the 

 year, but are more rufous above and more streaked on the upper parts 

 and back. 



