OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 409 



are smooth and fine in texture, but show little gloss, and measure 

 on an average 2'i inches in length by i'49 inch in breadth. Down 

 tufts rather small and very dark brown ; but Lord Lilford, I 

 notice, describes it as " brownish white " in a nest from which 

 the female was shot in Southern Spain. Incubation, performed 

 by the female, is said by Favier to last thirty days ; Naumann 

 affirms twenty-two to twenty-three days. It is not known that 

 more than one brood is reared in the year. 



Diagnostic Characters. — (Nuptial plumage), FuHgula, 

 with the head, neck, and upper breast rich chestnut, with a 

 white alar speculum, and with the bill dark lead-blue or bluish 

 black (adult male) ; with a white alar speculum, with the head 

 and neck pale chestnut, and with the under tail coverts and 

 axillaries white (adult female). Length, 16 inches. 



