305 
ber of the feathers which compose the tail ; 
the former stating the number to be twelve, 
while the latter asserts there are fourteen. 
Temminck observes that the base of the 
beak in the old male birds is black as well 
as the point, and that the webs of the feet 
are black. 
The old female, which is smaller than 
the male, has the crown of the head, the 
sides and back of the neck, the upper 
part of the back and the breast of a ferru- 
ginous brown; but the feathers of the 
breast are edged and shaded with reddish 
white ; the space between the beak and the 
eye, that round the eyes, the throat and 
fore part of the neck white spotted with 
ferruginous ; some large brown spots upon 
the sides ; wings ash-coloured with white 
spots; the undulating lines of the back 
less distinct than in the male ; middle of 
the belly whitish ; the band upon the beak 
very narrow and of a dull blue colour. 
The males of the first year resemble the 
female : those of one and two years of age, 
have the chestnut of the head and neck 
less vivid ; the black of the breast not so 
2 Q 
