108 
VVOODCOCK. 
stripe of deep brown; another line of the same passes through 
the eyes to the hind-head, curving under the eye; from the back 
to the rudiments of the tail runs another of the same tint, and 
also on the sides under the wings; the throat and breast are con- 
siderably tinged with rufous; and the quills, at this age, are just 
bursting from their light blue sheaths, and appear marbled as in 
the old birds; the legs and bill are of a pale purplish ash colour, 
the latter about an inch long. When taken, they utter a long, 
clear, but feeble, pee.p, not louder than that of a mouse. They 
are far inferior to young Partridges in running and skulk- 
ing; and should the female unfortunately be killed, may easily 
be taken on the spot. 
