51IIDS OF THE
BRITISH ISbES
Drawn and Described
By JOHN DUNCAN
^^r^'
FORTHE PEOPLE
FOR EDVCATION
FORSCIENCE
LIBRARY
OF
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM
OF
NATURAL HISTORY
5^
n^""'
M
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
J ^
GREAT AUK. — P. 39
BIRDS OF THE
BRITISH ISLES
DRAWN AND DESCRIBED BY
JOHN DUNCAN
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BV
CHARLES DIXON
(Repj-intcd from the '''' Neiv castle Weekly Chronicle''')
WALTER SCOTT, LIMITED
LONDON: PATERNOSTER SQUARE
AND NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE
1898
THE SCOTT PRESS, FELLING, MEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.
THIS LOOK
IS DEDICATED TO
CHARLES DIXON,
THE WELL-KNOWN NATURALIST,
AS A
MARK OF RESPECT,
r.Y
THE AUTHOR.
PREFACE
The drawings of British Birds which appear in this
work were originally published in the Newcastle
Weekly Chronicle, extending over a period of nearly
ten years. Numerous correspondents of that paper
expressed the wish that, when the series was com-
pleted, the drawings, with descriptions of the birds,
should be published in book form. It is mainly in
response to repeated suggestions of this kind that
the present work is offered to the public.
The birds were drawn with the view of giving
students of nature a strictly accurate representation
of each specimen, with as much detail as was con-
sidered necessary for identification. Although every
endeavour has been made to indicate the various
markings of the feathers, bill, feet, etc., I venture to
think that in no instance have I sacrificed artistic
completeness for mere elaboration.
The classification is based on a simple plan, and
I hope that the general reader will appreciate the
system adopted. The explanatory notes that accom-
pany each drawing are brief, but nothing material
X PREFACE.
has been omitted. In the great majority of cases
the drawing and colouration of the adult male bird
in summer plumage is given ; but in many instances
the adult female and young are also described.
The Appendix contains the names of birds which
are said to have occurred in a wild state in the
British Isles, but the claims of which to be included
in the British List are doubtful.
At various times during the last ten years I
have received generous help from Mr. Richard
Howse, M.A. (Curator), Mr. Joseph Wright, many
members of the Committee, and the other officials
connected with the Natural History Museum, New-
castle-on-Tyne. Mr. John Jackson, taxidermist,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, has provided numerous and
various specimens for me to draw from, and the
members of the Ewen family, late of St. Mary's
Island, Northumberland, have also rendered valu-
able assistance in many ways. I am further deeply
indebted to Mr. Henry Hunter, Old Hartley, North-
umberland ; Mr. William Scott, Tynemouth ; the
brothers Pow, Whitley; Mr. Amos Winship, Beal ;
Mr. Edward Fenwick Wilson, Monk House, Tyne-
mouth ; Mr. Robert Wilson, Jun., Whitley; Mr.
T. W. Duncan, Monkseaton ; Mr. John Fenwick
Wilson, Marden, Cullercoats ; Mr. Emmanuel Fen-
wick Wilson, Lough House, Morpeth ; Mr. John
Avery, Christon Bank ; Mr. J. W. Turnbull, Cor-
bridge ; Mr. Alexander Martin, Broomhouse Lodge,
PREFACE. xi
Beal; Mr. E. O. Reid, Newcastle; Mr. Thomas
Lambert, Cullercoats ; and numerous others, in-
cluding landowners, farmers, gamekeepers, etc., for
kindly assistance during a number of years past.
Mr. Charles Xavier Sykes, journalist, Newcastle,
has also aided me in preparing the matter for the
printers. But special thanks are due to the pro-
prietor of the Weekly Chronicle (Mr. Joseph Cowen),
and in a minor degree to the editor of that journal
(Mr. W. E. Adams), without whose cordial coun-
tenance and aid this work could not have been
produced.
During the compilation of the descriptive notes, I
have had occasion to make extracts from volumes
written by the following admitted authorities in the
ornithological world: — Charles Dixon; the late Henry
Seebohm ; James Backhouse, Jun., F.Z.S.; Howard
Saunders, F.L.S. ; R. Bovvdler Sharp, LL.D. ; H.
Kirke Swann ; Richard Lydekker, B.A.; Dr. P. M.
Duncan, F.R.S.; the late Herr Gatkc ; the Rev.
H. A. Macpherson, M.A.; and others.
Lastly, I must acknowledge my great indebtedness
to Mr. Charles Dixon, author of The Migration of
Birds, etc., etc., who, in addition to aiding me in
many ways, has revised all the proof-sheets of this
work.
JOHN DUNCAN.
MONKSKATON, NORTH UMRERLAXD,
AtlS^USt 1 898.
INTRODUCTION
♦-♦-^
Although the present volume requires little in the
way of introducing it to an artistic and bird-loving
public, I have been invited to say a few words in
launching it upon what I hope will prove to be a
sustained and a successful career. The books on
British birds are legion ; and one feels that to this
fact is due the ever- increasing interest which our
feathered friends and neighbours excite. It may be
that many of these volumes savour too strongly of
the plagiarist, the amateur, and the sciolist, to be of
value (for every one must rush into print nowadays),
or to advance the study of ornithology in any way,
being merely tributes to the vanity of their authors,
and published as such ; yet, on the other hand, a
welcome number contain a vast mass of novel and
interesting material ; they are records, too, of personal
experience and observation, and therefore destined
to retain a more or less permanent position in the
literature of Birds.
Just a century ago, British naturalists and the
British public were captivated by the first volume
xiv INTRODUCTION.
of Bewick's classic History of British Birds — a
work, completed by the issue of the second volume
seven years later, that gave more or less accurate
pictures of all the species, and one that has re-
tained a high place in the affections of ornithologists
and artistic people generally down to the present
time. To a certain extent, Mr. Duncan's volume
very closely resembles the books of the immortal
engraver on wood ; and in some respects, as those
who have the pleasure of inspecting his remarkable
series of drawings will find for themselves, it is
superior. The present book, so far as British birds
are concerned, is practically unique. For the first
time, an up-to-date manual, containing an accurate
and artistic picture of every species, is placed within
the reach of the multitude by reason of its very
modest price. Hitherto, so far as we can recall, the
cheapest with which it can be compared is published
at four times the cost. Mr. Duncan's book must not
be criticised from a literary point of view, its claims
in that direction purposely being exceptionally small.
Neither must the systematlst judge it by his varying
standards. It appeals to us, like Bewick's, solely
through the merits of its remarkably accurate and life-
like drawings of British birds — a set of pictures that
we feel sure will prove of great service to any person
anxious to become familiar with and able to name at
a glance the four hundred or so species that are up to
the present time included as British ; whilst the con-
INTRODUCTION. xv
cise description of the rarer species especially should
enable the fortunate possessor of the volume to
identify any rare or strange fowl that may come in
his way.
From his childhood, Mr. Duncan has always taken
great interest in bird-life ; and this seems only
natural, for he is the son of Robert Duncan, the
Newcastle taxidermist, and was consequently brought
up in an ornithological atmosphere, and in a house
where the family talk was almost invariably about
birds. At the age of fourteen John Duncan was
apprenticed to William Wailes, the well-know^n eccle-
siastical glass painter, with whom, and with Messrs.
Wailes & Strang, he has worked for nearly forty
years. During the early portion of that time John
Duncan studied drawing under William Bell Scott,
almost as famous as a poet as an artist. John
Duncan became skilled in the art of painting on
glass, and many noble church windows, both in the
United Kingdom and in America, remain lasting
monuments to his talent in this direction. During
these years John Duncan was devoting all his spare
time to the study of birds, frequently accompan}-
ing his father on his ornithological excursions, and
gradually acquiring that knowledge which we feel
must have stood him in good stead during his work
upon the present volume. Whilst in his teens, young
Duncan made many drawings of birds in oil and in
water-colours, and from that time to the present his
xvi INTRODUCTION.
pencil has been seldom idle. Duncan also made
his mark as a lithographic artist and cartoonist.
For many years, we believe, he has rendered assist-
ance to the authorities of the Hancock Natural
History Museum, Newcastle, and the grand avine
collections housed therein are indebted to him
for many rare specimens. Some ten years ago
John Duncan commenced in the Nezvcastle Weekly
Chronicle a series of pen-and-ink sketches of the
birds of the British Isles, and every week during
the whole of that lengthened period the paper has
contained some fresh example of his art. The series
now forms the present volume ; and we feel sure
that not only will subscribers and others familiar
with the birds as they then appeared, be glad to
possess these drawings in a lasting and more con-
venient form, printed under the more favourable
conditions pertaining to book production, than the
hurry of the newspaper press, which can wait for
no man, but that in this form they will prove a
more worthy and lasting monument to the industry
and skill of their talented author.
CHARLES DIXON.
Paignton, S. Devon,
October i8q8.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES
IRaven.
The Raven {Corvns corax, Linnosus) is a resident species
in the British Islands, although it is from various causes
a diminishing species. It is also met with throughout
the Palearctic Region. The adult has the entire plumage
black, upper parts glossed with purple and blue ; tail,
nearly rounded ; irides, brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black.
Length, about twenty-five or twenty-six inches. The young
raven is duller in colouration than the mature bird.
T
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Carrion Crow*
The Carrion Crow {Corvus corone, Temminck) is a
resident and fairly well distributed species in the British
Isles. It is said also to occur in most parts of the
Western Palearctic Region, extending its range into India
and also China. The adult has the whole of the plumage
black, the upper parts glossed with purple ; head, neck,
and throat, tinged with green; the nostrils have a covering
of bristly feathers ; legs and feet, black ; irides, brown.
Length, from seventeen to nineteen inches. The young
are similar in colouration to the adult, but the gloss on the
feathers is absent.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
1booJ)c5 Crow,
The Hooded Crow (Corviis comix, Linnaeus) breeds locally
in the British Islands, but is a regular winter visitant to
them. It is also found in Central and South-Eastern
Europe, as well as North-East Africa and Western Asia.
The adult has the head, throat, wings, and tail, iridescent
black ; remainder of plumage, ashy-grey ; the feathers on
the breast have a few dark streaks ; bill, legs, and feet,
black; irides, brown. Length, from seventeen to nineteen
inches. The young have the head dull black, and lack
the gloss of the mature bird ; grey portions of plumage,
duller ; hind neck, dusky. This species sometimes inter-
breeds with the carrion crow in Scotland.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
TRoOk.
The Rook {Corvus fnigilegus, Linnaeus) is a widely distri-
buted resident in the British Isles in localities that provide
suitable trees for nesting purposes, and in districts where
a plentiful supply of food can be obtained. It is also
generally distributed in most parts of the Western Pale-
arctic Region, ranging eastward into India. The adult
rook is easily distinguished by the purplish-black plumage
and bare grey face; bill and legs, black; irides, brown.
Length, from seventeen to twenty inches. The young are
duller in colouration, and the region round the base of the
bill is feathered.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
3acUt)aw.
The Jackdaw {Corvits nionedula^ Linnaeus) is not only
one of the commonest resident species of the family
Corvidce, but is also one of the most widely distributed in
the l]ritish Islands. It is also met with over most parts
of Northern and Central Europe, but is less so in Southern
Europe. It also occurs in Northern Africa. The adult
has the upper plumage glossy black, with the exception of
the hinder crown, neck, and sides of head, which are silvery
grey; under parts, dusky black; bill, legs, and feet, black;
irides, white. Length, between twelve and fourteen inches.
The young are dull black in plumage, showing very little
grey on the head or nape.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common Cbougb-
-^•>=J.
W^^.^^^.^^.^'
The Common Chough {Fyrrhocorax graculus, Linnaeus)
is a resident species with us, being found locally round the
British coasts as far northwards as Skye. It is also found
inhabiting certain portions of the Palearctic Region. The
adult has the entire plumage glossy black, with bluish
reflections ; primaries and tail, slightly tinged with green
and violet ; bill, long and recurved, and of a scarlet colour ;
legs and feet, same; irides, hazel brown. Length, from
fifteen to sixteen inches. The young are duller and less
glossy in plumage ; legs and feet, orange, but by autumn
the colouration of the latter has assumed that of the adult.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Contmou 3^?*
The Common Jay {Garrnlus <:;landarius, Linnceus), which
is a resident species in the British Isles, is also met with
throughout most parts of Europe, with the exception of the
extreme North. As the common jay cannot very well be
mistaken for any other British bird, a detailed description
is not necessary. The general colouration of the plumage
is vinaceous brown, with white on the rump and tail-
coverts; crest, streaked with black; moustachial lines, also
black; tail, brownish-black; wings, black, chestnut, and
white ; wing-coverts, barred with white, blue, and black ;
legs and feet, light brown ; bill, blackish ; irides, very
light blue. Length, from thirteen to fourteen inches. The
young are similar in colouration to the adults, but the irides
are brown.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
fIDaQpic.
The Magpie {Pica caudata, Gerini) is another resident
species in the British Isles. It also inhabits most of the
Western Palearctic Region. The adult magpie cannot well
be confounded with any other of our birds of the British
Isles. The adult is of a beautiful black colour on head,
neck, back and breast, with reflections of violet and green ;
scapulars and abdomen, white ; tail, long and iridescent
with greenish-bronze, and, towards tip, purplish, shading
into black ; bill, legs, and feet, black ; irides, dark brown.
Length, from sixteen to eighteen inches. The young are
similar in colouration, but the glossy sheen is scarcely per-
ceptible.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Il^utcrachcr.
The Nutcracker {JVnci/raga caryocafactes, Linnccus) is a
rare irregular autumn migrant to the British Islands, nesting
in the mountainous regions of Europe as far to the south
as the Pyrenees, and occurring as far eastward as Japan.
The adult male has the head dark brown ; back, brown,
each feather having a white triangular spot ; outer rectrices,
tipped with white ; basal half, black ; central quills with
a conspicuous patch of white near the base of inner web :
upper tail-coverts, brown ; under parts, dark brown, with
white spots on breast and belly ; iridcs, dark brown ; l)ill,
legs, and feet, blackish. Length, about twelve inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Starling.
^•-- John VuNce^r/-
The Starling {Siicrmis milgai'is^ Linnaeus) is a resident and
widely distributed species throughout the British Islands.
It also occurs in summer throughout the whole of Europe,
but it is only seen during winter in the countries of the
Mediterranean, and ranges eastward as far as Egypt and
Persia. The adult male in summer has the whole plumage
black, with green, purple, and blue reflections ; greater
portion of feathers of upper parts, tipped with cream
colour; wings and tail-feathers, blackish, margined with
buffish ; bill, yellow ; legs and feet, brownish-red ; irides,
hazel. Length, from seven to eight inches. The adult
female is duller in colour but is more profusely spotted.
The young are ashy-brown, with pale reddish-brown margins
to the wins;s and tail-feathers.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
1Ro6C:*coIourcD Starlincj.
II
The Rose-coloured Starling {Pas for rostits, Linnceus) is an
irregular visitor to this country, occurring mostly in autumn.
It is found nesting in Southern Europe, and is met with
occasionally on migration in most parts of Central and
Northern Europe. In winter it is found in India, but is
of rare occurrence in Africa. The adult male in breeding
attire has a crest on the head; neck, cheeks, nape, and
upper part of breast, deep black, with purple reflections ;
wings and rectrices, black, with greenish reflections ; flanks
and under tail-coverts, black ; back, breast, and belly, deli-
cate rose-colour ; irides, brown ; bill, rose-colour, darker at
base; legs and feet, brown. Length, about eight inches.
The female is duller in colour. The young have the cheeks,
chin, and upper part of throat, white ; wings and tail,
brown ; under parts, very [)ale brown : mottled on flanks
with darker brown.
12
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(5ol&cn ©riole.
The Golden Oriole {Oriolus galbtihi, Linngeus) is a rare
summer visitor to the southern portion of England. It
also occurs during the nesting season throughout Central
and Southern Europe, as well as Persia and Turkestan,
and spends the winter in Africa. The adult male has the
upper and under parts a rich golden yellow ; lores and
wings, black, with a yellow alar bar ; secondaries, edged
towards the tips with yellowish-white; tail, black, tipped
with yellow more broadly on the outermost feathers ; bill,
dull red ; feet, leaden grey ; irides, red. Length, about
nine inches. The adult female and young resemble the
male in colouration, but are greyish-white below, with
streaks of blackish on the throat and breast.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 13
Common Crosebill.
The Common Crossbill {Loxia ciirvirostm, Linni\ius) is
an uncertain winter visitor to the British Isles, although
some remain with us. It is also found in summer in most
parts of Europe and Northern Asia. The general colour
above of the adult male is dull crimson, becoming brighter
on the rump and chest ; wings and tail, brown, with pale
margins to wing-coverts ; vent, white ; irides, hazel ; bill,
legs, and feet, dark brown. Length, about six inches. The
adult female is mostly greyish-brown, tinged on the upper
parts and breast with greenish-orange ; rump, brighter. The
young are dull in colouration similar to the adult female^
but are streaked on the upper and under parts.
u
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
amcrican Mbite^w)ingc& Croeebill
The American White-winged Crossbill {Loxia kucoptera,
Gmelin) is a rare nomadic autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and is also found in Northern North America, from
Alaska to Labrador and Newfoundland. This crossbill is
said to have a more slender bill than the European white-
winged crossbill.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
15
European MbitC:*wingc& CroeebilL
The European White-winged Crossbill {Loxia bifasciata^
Brehm), which inhabits Northern Russia as well as Siberia,
is a rare wandering migrant to the British Isles during
autumn and winter. The adult male of this crossbill is
said to be distinguished from the common crossbill by the
white bands on the wings. Length, about six inches.
i6
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
paiTOt Cro69bilL
The Parrot Crossbill i^Loxia pityopsiiacus) has occurred at
various times in the British Isles, and is found inhabiting
Scandinavia and Northern Russia. This crossbill is now
considered to be merely a race of the common crossbill.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
17
pine (Broebeah*
The Pine Grosbeak (Zoxia enucleator, Linnceus) is an ex-
tremely rare winter migrant to the British Isles. It is a
resident in the Palearctic and Nearctic Regions. The adult
male has the general colouration of the plumage dull
slate-grey ; wings, dark brown, with rosy margins to the
feathers, getting broader on inner secondaries; lores, black;
remainder of head, crimson ; rump and upper tail-coverts,
mostly red ; rectrices, black tinged with grey, and margined
with paler; under parts, crimson, shading into ashy-white
on lower belly and under tail-coverts ; irides, bill, legs, and
feet, dark brown. Length, about eight inches. The female
shows no crimson colour.
i8 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Scarlet IRose ^incb.
The Scarlet Rose Finch {^Carpodacus erythrimis^ Linnseus)
is an extremely rare visitor to the British Islands. It in-
habits the Palearctic Region, and is found westward in
Europe to Finland and Poland. In Western Europe it
is a mere straggler. The adult male has the back brown,
washed with rose ; wings and rectrices, pale brown, mar-
gined faintly with crimson; rump, crimson; under parts
below breast, white, shading into creamy white on under
tail-coverts ; crown of head, chin, throat, and breast,
crimson, the crown being the darkest ; irides, legs, and feet,
brown ; bill, brown tinged with yellow. Length, about five
inches. The adult female is, above, mostly olive-brown ;
wings and rectrices, dark brown ; innermost secondaries
margined with whitish, and coverts tipped with whitish;
fore-neck and breast, huffish, with streaks of dusky; belly,
white.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Ibawfincb.
The Hawfinch {^Coccothraustes vulgaris^ Pallas) is a fairly
common resident in certain localities in the British Islands.
It is also met with throughout the greater part of the
Palearctic Region. The adult male hawfinch in summer
plumage can readily be identified by its bulky head, strong
bill, and the secondary feathers being notched. The general
plumage is brown, above ; wings and tail, black and white ;
under parts, yellowish-brown ; bill, leaden blue, dull black
at tip ; legs and feet, pale fleshy-brown ; irides, greyish-
white. Length, about seven inches. The adult female is
similar in colouration, but duller.
20
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Bullfincb.
"iunn-nrj
The Bullfinch {Pyrrhtda vulgaris, Temminck) is a resident
species in the British Isles, being also met with in Europe
west of Central Russia and south of Scandinavia. Examples
occasionally occur in the southernmost countries of Europe.
The adult male has the crown of the head, base of bill, and
throat, velvety blue-black ; nape and mantle, smoke-grey ;
larger wing-coverts have whitish tips, thereby producing a
transverse bar; wings and tail, bluish-black; rump, white;
under tail-coverts, white; rest of under parts, dull ver-
milion ; bill, black ; legs and irides, dark brown. Length,
about six inches. The female on the upper parts is brownish-
grey ; underneath, warmish brown. The young have no
black on the head, and the wing bar is buffish-white.
(Breater Bullfincb.
The Greater Bullfinch [Fyrrhu/a majoi-, C. L. Brehm) is
a rare visitor to the British Isles, nesting in Scandinavia
and North-Eastern Europe generally, and occurring during
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 21
winter in South-Eastern Europe. The adult male closely
resembles Pyrrhula vulgaris^ but in some examples the
colours are more brilliant; it is also larger in size.
lbou6C Sparrow),
The House Sparrow (Passer douiesiicus, Linnreus) is a well-
known resident and generally distributed species throughout
the British Isles, and also over the whole of the Palearctic
Region. The adult male in summer has the top of the
head and rump slaty-grey; chin, throat, breast, and lores,
black ; above the eyes, a thin white streak ; mantle, ruddy
brown, with dark centres to the feathers ; wings and tail,
dark brown, margined with paler brown ; white tips to
lesser wing-coverts ; cheeks, ashy ; under parts, greyish-
white ; bill, black ; legs and feet, brownish ; i rides, brown.
Length, about six inches. In the adult female the black
on the throat and breast are absent.
22 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Zvcc Sparrow.
The Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus^ Linnseus) is a generally
distributed, but local, species in the British Isles. It is also
found throughout most parts of the Palearctic Region, and
in the Indian Region, reaching as far southwards as Java.
The adult male in breeding plumage has the crown and nape
chocolate-brown ; throat and fore-neck, black ; lores, and a
streak behind eyes, black; ear-coverts, ashy-white, with a
black patch on the lower parts ; sides of neck, white ; upper
parts and tail closely resemble the house sparrow, with the
exception that the median and greater wing-coverts have
white tips, which form two bars ; under parts, ashy ; bill,
black ; legs, pale brown ; irides, brown. Length, about
five inches. The adult female is similar to the male in
colouration.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
23
Cbaffincb*
^^MlsiiiMim^
The Chaffinch i^Fringilla ca^Iebs, Linnaeus), which is a
resident species in the British Isles, is also found in most
parts of Europe, but is rarely met with in North-Western
Africa. The adult male in summer has the forehead black ;
crown and nape, slaty-grey ; back, reddish-brown ; rump,
sap-green ; scapulars, grey, tipped with brownish ; cjuills,
dusky, with narrow margins of white ; lesser and median
wing-coverts, white ; greater coverts, blackish, with broad
white tips ; central tail-feathers, grey ; remainder, dark
brown ; two outermost rectrices on either side, white on the
inner margins ; sides of head, and lower part of plumage,
reddish-brown, shading into white on abdomen ; bill,
dusky ; irides, hazel ; legs, dull brown. Length, about six
inches. The female's head and back are olive-brown ;
cheeks, throat, and breast, pale yellowish-grc-y.
24
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Brambling,
The Brambling {Fringilla moniifriiigilla^ Linnaeus) is a
common autumn and winter migrant to the British Isles,
and is also found throughout most of the Palearctic Region,
nesting in the Far North. The adult male in nuptial
plumage has the general colour above, also sides of neck,
ear-coverts, and cheeks, glossy black ; lesser wing-coverts,
orange-chestnut ; median coverts, white ; greater coverts,
with white tips ; rump, white ; a white speculum on the
wing ; tail, black ; outermost feathers, partly white ; chin
and throat, ochreous ; remainder of under parts, ochreous,
tinged with red, gradually turning into whitish on belly and
under tail-coverts ; sides, spotted with black ; irides, dark
brown; bill, black; legs and feet, brown. Length, from
five to six inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
•^0
(Brccnfincb.
The Greenfinch {Fringilla ck/oris, Linnnsus) is a resident
species in the British Islands. It also occurs in most parts
of Europe (with the exception of the Spanish Peninsula)
north to southern Scandinavia, as well as in Turkestan.
The adult male in summer has the forehead greenish-
yellow ; lores, dusky black ; a bright yellow stripe over each
eye ; cheeks, and under parts of body, bright yellow, washed
slightly with ashy; crown, neck, and back, olive-green;
feathers margined with greyish ; rump, yellowish ; wings,
deep brown, with dull grey tips ; primaries, edged with
bright yellow at their bases ; tail, dark brown, central
feathers margined with grey ; remainder with entirely yellow
bases ; flanks, greyish ; bill, light flesh colour ; irides, hazel.
Length, about five inches. The adult female is much
duller in colouration than the male.
26 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(Bolbfincb,
The Goldfinch {Fri/igilla carduelis^ Linnaeus) is a gener-
ally distributed species in the British Islands. It is also
a resident throughout most parts of Europe, with the
exception of the extreme north. In Northern Africa and
eastward into Persia it is also a resident. The adult male
has the forehead and upper throat crimson ; crown of the
head and a band behind the ear-coverts, black ; cheeks
and lower throat, white ; upper parts, pale chocolate-brown ;
greater wing-coverts, brilliant golden yellow ; primaries,
black with white tips ; base of primaries, banded with bright
yellow; tail, black, tipped with white; outer tail-feathers
subterminally having white blotches ; underneath, white ;
sides of breast and flanks, tinged with wood-brown ; bill,
pale brown, tip darker; irides, legs, and feet, brown.
Length, about five inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
27
Si9hin.
The Siskin {Fringi//a spimis^ Linnaeus) is generally
considered a winter visitor to the British Isles,
although instances are recorded of its having nested in
most of our English counties. It also frequents the
temperate parts of the Palearctic Region. The adult
male has the crown and throat black ; back, dullish-green,
with streaks of dark brown ; rump, yellow ; cheeks and
ear-coverts, olive-green ; wings, blackish, with yellow bars
and pale yellowish margins ; tail-feathers, blackish, yellow
at base with the exception of centre ones ; under parts,
yellow, shading into white on abdomen ; flanks, yellowish,
with dusky streaks of black ; irides, brown ; bill, dusky ;
feet, light brown. Length, about four inches. The adult
female has the crown streaked with dusky brown ; wings,
rump, and tail show very little yellow ; under parts,
yellowish-white, with dusky streaks.
28
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Serin finch.
'^/^9
The Serin Finch {Serifiiis horfu/anus, Koch) is a rare
abnormal sprmg and autumn migrant to the British Islands.
It is a resident in most parts of Central and Southern
Europe. In Asia Minor it is plentiful, and it is also met
with in Palestine. The adult male in summer has the
general colour above, greenish-olive, with streaks of dark
brown ; forehead and cheeks, yellow, tinged on the latter
with green ; wings and rectrices, dusky, margined with pale
yellowish ; throat, breast, and rump, bright yellow ; middle
of abdomen, white ; flanks, streaked with dark brown ;
irides, dark brown ; bill, dark brown ; legs and feet, brown.
Length, about four inches. The adult female is duller in
colouration, and shows less yellow. The young resemble
the adult female, but the yellow is absent.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
29
Canary,
The Canary {Seri?tjes Jiortulanus canai'ius^ Linnaeus) is an
accidental spring and autumn visitor to the British Islands,
and a resident in the Canary Islands, jNIadeira, and
the Azores. The adult male wild canary has, it is
said, "the crown, yellowish-green, narrowly streaked with
blackish-brown ; back, and upper tail-coverts, blackish-
brown, margined broadly with grey, and marked with olive-
green ; forehead and rump, bright yellowish-green ; wing-
coverts, blackish-brown, tipped and margined with olive-
grt-cn. The whole of the under parts are golden yellow,
shading into almost white on the under tail-coverts ; the
flanks arc striped with blackish-brown ; bill, light brown ;
legs, feet, and claws, fleshy brown ; irides, hazel." The
adult female is described as being duller in colour, and
shows less yellow.
30
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Xinnct
Jo ha/ I]unc/>i //.
The Linnet {Linota cannahiiia, Linnaeus) is a generally
distributed species in the British Isles, but becomes scarcer
in some parts of Scotland, and is said not to occur in the
Shetlands. It is also a resident over most parts of the
Western Palearctic Region, with the exception of the
extreme north. The adult male in summer plumage is,
above, reddish-brown, streaked with black ; forehead and
centre of crown, crimson ; breast, crimson ; ear-coverts,
ashy-grey ; primaries and tail, blackish, margined with
white ; throat, dusky ; breast, crimson ; abdomen, dull
white ; flanks, fawn-brown ; bill, legs, and feet, brown ;
irides, brown. Length, about five inches. The adult
female closely resembles the male, but the red on crown
and breast is wanting.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Zmtc,
The Twite (Li/io/a fiavirostris^ Linnceus) is a resident in
the British Islands, but is stated to be only a winter
visitant to the south. It nests in Norway, and is also met
with on migration in most parts of Europe. The coloura-
tion of the plumage of the adult male in summer is, above,
dark brown, marked with tawny-brown ; sides of head and
also body, marked with brown ; rump, rose red ; quills,
dusky, a few primaries having narrow white margins, and
secondaries tawny margins ; tail-feathers, dusky, with white
margins to the outer ones ; chin and throat, unspotted
tawny-buff; sides of head and body, marked with brown ;
abdomen, white ; bill, yellowish, tip darker ; irides, brown ;
legs and feet, brown. Length, about five inches. The
female is distinguishable by having no red on rump.
32
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
%C5BCV IRebpoIc-
The Lesser Redpole {Linota riifescens, Vieillot) is a
common species in the British Isles during winter, but is
locally distributed in summer. It is also found in the more
northern portions of both hemispheres, nesting mostly in
regions where birch trees abound, and in winter straying
southward. The adult male in spring plumage has the
throat and lores black; crown and forehead, deep crimson;
upper parts, dark warm brown ; rump, pink ; wing bands,
rufous buff; breast, carmine red; remainder of plumage
closely resembles that of the mealy redpole {Linota
lina7'id) ; irides, brown ; bill, brownish horn colour ; base
beneath, yellowish ; legs, dark brown. Length, about four
inches. The female, as a rule, has no red on the rump or
breast.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
fIDcalP 1Re&poIc\
The Mealy Redpole {Linofa linaria, Linnaeus) is an
autumn migrant to the British Isles. It inhabits the
more northern portions of both hemispheres, and nests
principally in the birch region, and in winter moves south-
ward. The adult male in summer has the nape, back,
and scapulars dark brown, with whitish margins to some
of the feathers ; primaries, dusky ; innermost secondaries,
greater and middle wing-coverts, with whitish tips ; rump,
white, tinged with pink and streaked with brown ; rectrices,
dusky, with narrow margins of whitish ; crown of head,
crimson ; chin, black ; breast, suffused with carmine ;
middle of abdomen, whitish ; sides, streaked with dark
brown ; irides, brown ; bill, yellowish-brown ; legs and feet,
brown. Length, five inches. The adult female in summer
shows no red on the breast or rump. In winter, upper
parts of the adult arc lighter and the feathers show no red
on the breast.
34 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(Brccnlanb IRebpolc.
The Greenland Redpole {Li?tofa linaria Hornemanni,
Holboell) is an extremely rare abnormal winter visitor to
this comitry, and so far only one example has been pro-
cured. It is met with in Greenland and Eastern North
America. This redpole can readily be distinguished from
its congeners by the excessive whiteness of the plumage.
Couee' IRcbpole.
CouEs' Redpole {Linota exilipes, Coues) is an exceedingly
rare abnormal visitor to the British Isles.
Ibolbocire IRcbpole.
Holboell's Redpole {Liftota Holboelli^ Brehm) is a rare
abnormal migrant to the British Isles, and inhabits North
Europe from Scandinavia to Eastern Siberia. This redpole
is described as being similar to the mealy redpole, " but
larger in size, and having a very much larger bill."
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
35
Snow) Bunting^
• ^^^,N^i«i^
'''//^^.AV^^^.K^ 7o//^"l?^/vc^^.
The Snow Banting {Flecfrophenax nivalis^ Linnaeus) is
mainly a winter visitor to the British Isles, but instances
are recorded of its having nested on some of the Scottish
mountains. It is a summer visitant to the Arctic Regions,
and migrates southwards in the autumn through most of
the northern countries in Europe, Asia, and North America.
The adult male in summer has the head, neck, upper wing-
coverts, secondaries, and under parts, white ; back and
scapulars, black, the back on lower part usually mottled
with white ; primaries and tertiaries, black ; six central tail-
feathers, black ; remainder, white ; irides, brown ; bill, legs,
and feet, black. Length, about six inches.
36 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Xaplanb Buntlno.
The Lapland Bunting {Calcarius lapponicus^ Linnaeus) is a
rare irregular autumn migrant to the British Isles. It nests
throughout the Circumpolar Regions north of the Arctic
Circle, and in autumn migrates through Central Europe
and Asia. The adult male in summer has the head, throat,
and upper breast black, with the exception of a whitish
streak, which commences behind the eye and passes at the
back of the auriculars, thus forming a patch of white on the
sides of the neck ; a collar of bright chestnut reaches from
the occiput on to the upper back; remainder of upper
parts, wing-coverts, innermost secondaries, and middle rec-
trices, brownish-black margined wdth buff and white ;
primaries, with pale margins ; under surface of body, pale
bufifish, striped on flanks with black ; irides, brown ; bill,
yellow; tip, black; legs and feet, black. Length, about
six inches. The adult female lacks the black head and
rufous collar.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRceb Bunting,
37
.^^
The Reed Bunting {Eniberiza schcEiiicIus^ Linnaeus) is a
resident species in the British Islands, and also in suitable
localities throughout the Palearctic Region. The adult
male is rufous colour above, with black streaks and pale
margins to the feathers ; head and throat, deep black ; a
white moustachial line runs from the base of the bill and
joins the collar, which, like the breast, is white ; lower back
and rump, pale grey, with black streaks ; scapulars and
lesser wing-coverts, warm reddish-brown, with dark centres
on the former ; tail, dark brown, two outer pairs of rectrices
having oblique white patches ; flanks, streaked with dusky
brown ; irides, brown ; bill, brown above, paler below ; legs
and feet, brown. Length, about six inches. The adult
female lacks the l)lack head and throat.
38 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(Torn Bunting.
jtiN>/^V;»
The Corn Bunting (Emheriza miliaria, Linnaeus) is a
resident species in the British Isles, and is also met with
throughout most parts of Europe, with the exception of
the Far North. It is also found ranging eastward through
Central Asia. The colouration of the adult male in
summer is, above, hair-brown, with dark centres to the
feathers ; lower back and rump not so distinctly marked ;
wing-coverts, dark brown, margined with buff; primaries,
dullish brown ; tail, dark brown, with pale margins ;
moustachial line composed of dark brown spots ; throat
and under parts, buffish-white, profusely spotted on the
breast and streaked with brown on the flanks; bill,
yellowish-brown ; irides and legs, brown. Length, about
seven inches. Both sexes are alike.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
39
Cirl Buntincj,
The Cirl Bunting {Emberiza cirlus^ Linnaeus) is a very
local species, being principally found in the South of
England. It is also met with in Western Europe, Southern
Europe, Asia Minor, Algeria, and North-Western Africa.
The colouration of the adult male is, above, chestnut,
with black streaks. Head and hinder part of neck, olive,
streaked with black ; rump, greenish-olive, with streaks of
dusky ; eye-stripe and one below, yellow ; lores and ear-
coverts, black ; throat, black, succeeded by a collar of pale
sulphur colour ; underneath is a band of olive-grey, followed
by stripes of reddish-brown running down the flanks ;
abdomen, pale dull yellow; irides, brown; bill, leaden
colour; legs and feet, pale brown. Length, about six
inches. The female has no black or yellow markings on
the face.
40
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IDellow Bunting.
The Yellow Bunting {^Emberiza citrinella^ Linnaeus) is a
resident in the British Islands. It is also a resident
throughout Europe and in Asia, reaching as far eastward
as Turkestan. The adult male in summer has the crown
yellow, tinged with green on the sides ; eye-stripe, yellow ;
above, brown, feathers having black centres ; rump and
tail-coverts, chestnut ; tail-feathers, mostly dark brown, with
elongated white patches on the two outermost pairs ; wings,
dark brown ; primaries, dusky brown, margined narrowly
with yellowish ; beneath, yellow, tinged on chest with dull
olive ; flanks, streaked with blackish-brown ; irides, dark-
brown ; bill, horn colour; legs and feet, light brown.
Length, between six and seven inches. The female is
duller in colouration than the male.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
41
©rtolau Buntiiuj.
Jou/i/ 2?ui
The Ortolan Bunting i^Eniberiza ho7'iulana^ Linn?eus) is a
rare irregular spring and autumn migrant to the British
Isles ; it is also a visitor in summer to temperate Europe
and Central Asia, and in winter moves into Northern Africa
and India. The adult male has the general colour of the
upper parts reddish-brown ; feathers on mantle and back,
streaked with black; head, grey, with a tinge of greenish-
yellow; a ring round eye, lores, chin, and throat, yellow;
sides of neck and band across chest, yellowish-green ;
under parts, cinnamon ; irides, brown ; bill, red ; legs and
feet, reddish. Length, about six inches. The adult females
resemble the male, but are lighter in colour, and the chest
has mottlings of dusky brown.
42
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Blacft^bea&eb Bunting.
The Black-headed Bunting [Ej?iberiza melanocephala^ Sco-
poli) is a very rare irregular spring and autumn visitor to
the British Isles. In summer it is exceedingly common in
South-Eastern Europe ; it spends the winter in India. The
adult male in nuptial dress has the wings brown ; coverts,
tipped with pale brown ; innermost secondaries, broadly
edged with pale brown ; rectrices, brown ; head, lores, and
auriculars, black ; rest of upper parts, chestnut, extending to
the sides of breast ; under parts, rich yellow, tinged with
rufous on sides of body ; irides, dark brown ; bill, grey ;
legs, pale brown. Length, about six inches. The adult
female lacks the black on the head, and plumage generally
is brownish and yellowish. In winter the whole plumage
has a dingy appearance. The young in first plumage are
very similar to the adult female.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 43
OLittlc JBimtino.
John Uu,\icAN.
The Little Bunting {Eniheriza pusilla, Pallas) is an ex-
tremely rare autumn migrant to the British Isles. In
summer it is found in North-Eastern Europe and Siberia,
and spends the winter in India and China. The adult
male in nuptial plumage has the upper parts rufous-brown,
conspicuously streaked with black; tail, dark brown, edged
with paler brown, except two outermost feathers which have
elongated patches of white on inner webs ; wings, barred
with buff; head, bright chestnut, black band on each side
of the crown ; chin and upper throat, rufous-chestnut ;
under parts, white, with black streaks on breast and flanks ;
irides, bill, legs, and feet, dark brown. Length, five inches.
The adult female in summer is similar to the male, but the
plumage is duller.
44
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
1Ru6tic Buntino^
John Duncan.
The Rustic Bunting (yEmberiza rustica, Pallas) is a rare
irregular autumn migrant to the British Isles. It also
inhabits Northern Russia and Siberia, in winter migrating
westward and southward. The adult male in summer has
the back and scapulars reddish-brown, with mottlings of
black, and bordered broadly with buff; rump, rich chest-
nut ; crown and sides of head, black ; eye-stripe and throat,
white ; band across chest, rich chestnut ; rectrices, deep
brown ; outermost pair of feathers, mostly white ; breast
and belly, white ; flanks, streaked broadly with rich chest-
nut ; irides, dark brown ; bill, dark brown above, yellowish
beneath; legs and feet, yellowish flesh colour. Length,
about five inches. The colouration of the female is gener-
ally duller than that of the male.
45
JURIJS 01- IHI-: JiRITISH ISLES.
Branbts Siberian Buntiiuj.
Branut's Siberian Bunting {Eniberiza cioides^ Moore) is a
partially migratory species, an example being taken near
Flamborough. It is found in Northern China.
Shv^Xarh.
%^JMr^''/'j0Hf^ DuAfCAV.
The Sky-Lark (A/audu arvensis^ Linnreus) is a generally
distributed resident species throughout the British Islands.
It is also a resident throughout nearly the whole of the
Palearctic Region. The adult male in summer plumage
is of various shades of brown, here and there tinged with
yellowish buff. The feathers on the top of the head form
a dark brown crest, with paler edges. Upper parts, brown,
with darker centres ; eye-stripe, buffish ; tail feathers have
(lark brown centres and edged with tawny ; outer pair,
chiefly white ; second pair, white on outer webs ; below,
tinged with tawny-buff or rufous, boldly spotted on sides
46 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
of breast and throat with dark brown ; irides, dark brown ;
bill, brown; legs and feet, pale yellowish-brown. Length,
about seven inches.
Moo&*Xarft.
The Wood-Lark {Aiauda arborea^ Linnaeus) is a somewhat
widely distributed resident species, but is very local. It
is said to be unequally distributed over the Western Pale-
arctic Region, south of latitude 60° N. The adult in
summer resembles the sky-lark in the general colouration
of the plumage and crest, but can readily be distinguished
from the latter by its smaller size, shorter tail, and the stripe
over the eye, which is very broad, and buffish-white in
colouration, and reaches to the nape of the neck. Irides,
dark brown ; bill, brown ; legs and feet, pale brown. Length,
about five inches. The adult female is similar in coloura-
tion to the adult male. The young are more rufous in
colour than the adults, and the feathers have light buff
tips.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
47
SborWoeJ) Xarft.
The Short-tocd Lark {Calandrella brachydactyla^ Leisler)
is a rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British Islands.
It is a resident in Southern Europe and Northern Africa,
and has been met with as far eastward as India. The adult
male in nesting plumage has the upper parts chiefly light
sandy-brown, with blackish centres to the feathers, those on
the head narrow, and on rump, obscure; under parts, pale
ochreous-white ; breast, washed with buffish-brown; with a
few large streaks on the sides of the breast; tail-feathers,
dark brown; centre webs of outermost pair, mostly creamy-
white; next pair with terminal part of outer web, creamy-
white; central rectrices, margined with pale sandy-grey;
irides, brown; bill, brown; legs and feet, brownish. Length,
about five inches. The adult female is similar to the male.
48
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Cre^tcb Xarft.
■''^'' John Du/vc/i^
The Crested Lark {Gakrita cristafa, Linnseus) is a rare
irregular autumn migrant to the British Islands, but is a
resident species in most parts of Continental Europe and
Asia. The adult male has the upper parts of the plumage
brown, with centre of feathers blackish; nape and upper
back, washed in parts with pale ochreous brown ; rump
and upper tail-coverts, buff; tail-feathers, brown, with paler
margins; superciliary stripe, buff; crest, which is con-
spicuous, has the feathers buff in colour with dark brown
centres; lower parts, buffish-white; sides of throat and
chest, spotted with brown; flanks, streaked with dark brown;
irides, hazel; bill, brown, paler beneath; legs and feet, light
brown. Length, about six inches. The adult female is
similar to the male.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 49
The White-winged Lark (yMelanocorypha sibirica, Gmelin)
is a very rare autumn visitor to the British Isles, but in
parts of Russia and Central Asia it is a resident, and is met
with occasionally in Austria and Italy. The adult male in
summer has the crown, lesser wing-coverts, and upper tail-
coverts, chestnut; tail, brown, margined with white on the
inner webs ; upper parts, brown, margined with russet, and
shading into lighter on nape ; secondaries, white, dark at
bases ; primaries, dark brown, with white tips ; under parts,
dull white, tinged with buffish on breast and shading into
brownish on flanks, the former finely spotted and the latter
streaked with brown and rufous ; irides, brown ; legs and
feet, brown ; bill, deep horn colour, pale yellowish beneath.
Length, about seven inches. The adult female is similar
to the male, but duller in colouration.
50
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
CaIan^ra Xarft,
The Calandra Lark [Melanocorypha calandra^ Linnaeus) is
an exceedingly rare autumn migrant to the British Isles,
but is a permanent resident in the South of France and
in Spain, also in parts of Italy and Greece, and is very
numerous in Turkey and North Africa. The adult is
greyish-brown on the upper parts, with dark centres to the
feathers ; under parts, white, washed with tawny, and finely
streaked with dark brown. On each side of the neck is
a conspicuous patch of black. Length, about six inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
51
Sbore^Xarft<
The Shore-Lark {Otocorys alpesttis^ Linnoeus) is a regular
autumn migrant to the British Islands, and is also found
in Northern Europe, Asia, and America, and during
migration occurs in most parts of Europe. The adult
male has the crown, ear-tufts, lores, and lower neck
band, black ; forehead, superciliary stripe, chin, and upper
throat, yellowish ; general colour of upper parts, greyish-
brown, tinged with pinkish-brown on nape, lesser wing-
coverts, and upper tail-coverts ; feathers on back have
dark centres ; centre tail-feathers, ashy, centred with
black ; remainder, black, outer one edged with white ;
under parts of body, white, washed on flanks with pale
brown ; irides, dark brown ; bill, slate colour ; legs and
feet, blackish. Length, about seven inches. The adult
female has no ear-tufts.
52 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
pici> Magtail.
The Pied Wagtail (Afo/ad//a alba Yarrellii^ Gould) is a
resident in, and is widely and generally distributed over,
the British Isles during the nesting season, occurring also
in Western Europe ; elsewhere it is only a summer visitant ;
it spends the winter in the western portions of North
Africa. The adult male in summer has the top of the
head, nape, part of the shoulders, chin, neck, throat, and
upper breast, rich black ; forehead, sides of the face, and
patch on sides of neck, white ; mantle, rump, and wing-
coverts, black ; the latter having white margins to the
feathers, forming a double bar ; primaries, blackish ; inner
secondaries, with white margins on outer edge ; abdomen,
white ; sides and flanks, tinged with blackish ; tail, black ;
outermost feathers, white on outer webs ; irides, dark
brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, seven inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Mbite Matjtail.
53
The White Wagtail {Motacilla alba, Linnaeus) is a regular
spring visitant to the British Isles, and has been on several
occasions identified as having nested in this country. It
is a resident species in some parts of Southern Europe, and
spends the winter in North Africa. The adult male in
summer has the chin, throat, and breast, black; auriculars,
and patch on sides of neck, white; above, grey; wing-
coverts, with black bases and edged with white ; crown and
nape, black ; rump and upper wing-coverts, ashy-grey, tipped
with white ; median ones also with white tips ; primaries,
blackish; under parts, white; sides, ashy-grey; tail-feathers,
black in centre ; outer ones, white, edged with black in-
wardly; irides, dark brown; bill, legs, and feet, black.
Length, about seven inches. The female is similar to the
male, but the black on the crown is mixed with ashy.
54 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(Bre? Magtail
"-^"!!^^"
The Grey Wagtail {Afotaciiia sulphurea, Bechstein) is a
resident species pretty generally distributed throughout the
British Islands, but is more local in the South of England.
It is also a resident in Central and Southern Europe,
ranging across Central Asia; and is to be met with in
winter in India, Persia, and Northern Africa. The adult
male in summer is bluish-grey above ; rump, yellow ; eye-
stripe, white; moustachial line, white; throat, black; under
parts, bright yellow ; under tail-coverts, richer yellow :
wings, greyish-black; coverts, tipped with whitish; tail,
blackish-brown ; outer rectrices, white ; irides, brown ; bill,
legs, and feet, brown. Length, between seven and eight
inches. The adult female is similar, but colours not so
brilliant. The young are browner in colour than the
female, and the eye-stripe is huffish.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
55
BIuc::*bea&eJ> MagtaiL
The Blue-headed Wagtail {Motacilla fiava, Linnxus) is
an irregular spring and autumn visitor to the British Isles.
It is mostly met with on the South Coast, and has nested
in the North of England. It also nests in Central Europe
and Central Asia, and migrates to Africa in winter. The
adult male in summer has the crown and nape bluish-grey ;
distinct white eye-stripe ; back, deep yellowish-olive ; wing-
coverts, dark brown, with yellowish-white tips, which form
a double bar ; secondaries, margined with yellowish-white ;
primaries, dark brown ; tail, dusky-brown ; two outer tail-
feathers on each side, mostly white; chin and underneath
lores, white ; under parts, bright yellow ; iridcs, brown ;
bill, legs, and feet, dark brown. Length, about six inclios.
The female is duller and fainter in colour than the male.
$6 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IPcUow Magtail.
The Yellow Wagtail {Motacilla rati, Bonaparte) is a widely
distributed common summer visitor to the British Isles.
It also nests in Central and Western Europe, and
spends the winter in Africa. The adult male in summer
has the general colour above, olive-yellow; under parts,
bright yellow ; superciliary stripe, yellow ; wings, dark
brown; wing-coverts and secondaries, tipped and mar-
gined with yellowish-white; tail-feathers, blackish-brown,
with the exception of the two outer pairs, which are
white ; irides, dark brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black.
Length, about six inches. The adult female is similar
to the adult male, but the colours are duller, and show a
brown tinge on the back. The young somewhat resemble
the female, but have the throat and chest light fawn colour ;
there are also brown spots on the chest ; remainder of
under parts, yellow.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
57
^ree pipit
The Tree Pipit [Aiithus trivialis^ Einnreus) is a summer
visitor to the British Islands, but it is comparatively rare in
Scotland, and is exceedingly scarce in Ireland. It visits
Central and Northern Europe and Asia during summer,
spending the winter in Africa, Persia, and India. The
adult in summer has the upper parts dark brown, margined
broadly with buffish-brown; wings and most of tail-feathers,
dark brown, edged with paler brown; about one-half of the
outer pair of rectrices, white; chin, whitish; throat, Ijuff;
beneath, pale buff; abdomen, white; sides of throat, chest,
and flanks, spotted and streaked with dark brown: irides,
dark brown; legs and feet, pale brown. Length, about six
inches. The female is similar to the male, but the streaks
on the under parts are narrower. This species is readily dis-
tinguished from Anthus pfiitensis by its shorter and much
curved hind claw.
58
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
flDeabow pipit
The Meadow Pipit (yAnthus prateiisis^ Linnaeus) is a common
resident species throughout the British Isles, but is subject
to partial migration in winter. It also breeds in most parts
of Europe, and winters in Africa. The adult in summer is
olive-brown above, the feathers having black centres, those
on the mantle margined with whitish; wing-coverts and
secondaries, brown, edged with bufifish-white; primaries,
dark brown, with exterior margins of yellowish -green;
eye-stripe, yellowish-buff; throat and breast, tawny-buff,
the latter closely streaked with blackish-brown; flanks,
tinged with olive and streaked broadly with black; lower
parts, bufBsh; tail, dark brown; outer tail-feathers, mostly
white; irides, dark brown; bill, blackish; legs and feet,
light brown.
Length, about six inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
aipiiie pipit
59
Jofifii Duncan
The Alpine Pipit {Afilhiis spipoletta, Linnceus) is a rare
irregular autumn migrant to the British Isles. It nests in
the mountain regions of Central Europe, also in parts of
Spain ; and on migration occurs in other portions of Europe,
passing the winter in Northern Africa. The adult male in
summer is olive-brown above ; paler on rump ; feathers of
upper parts, darker in centre ; eye-stripe, creamy-white ;
wings and tail, dark brown, margined with paler; the outer-
most tail-feathers, mostly white : chin, centre of abdomen,
and under tail-coverts, pale ochreous-white ; remainder of
under parts, pale buff tinged with chestnut ; Hanks, olive-
brown ; irides, dark brown ; bill, blackish, paler beneath ;
legs and feet, blackish. Length, about six inches.
6o
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
1Roch ipipit.
The Rock Pipit {Anthus obscunis, Latham) is a resident
in the British Islands ; it also occurs as a summer visitant in
Northern Europe, and in winter is found in Central and
Southern Europe. The adult male in summer plumage is
olive-brown above, the feathers having dark centres ; wings
and tail, dark brown, with paler edges to the former and
olivaceous edges to the latter ; eye-stripe, buffish-yellow ;
throat, dull white ; beneath, buffish-yellow, feathers closely
mottled with dark brown centres ; irides, brown ; bill, legs,
and feet, brown ; the hind claw is much curved. Length,
about six inches. The adult female resembles the male,
but underneath is less spotted. The young are darker in
colouration, and the under parts are more heavily marked.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 6i
Zamx^ pipit,
The Tawny Pipit {Ajiihus campestn's, Linnceus) is a rare
and irregular autumn migrant to the British Islands. It
breeds in Central as well as Southern Europe, passing the
winter in Africa and India. The adult male has the upper
parts sandy-brown, with darker centres; rump, sandy brown :
central tail-feathers, dark brown, margined witli ligliter ;
wings, dark brown ; under parts, buffish-white ; darkest on
breast, the latter faintly spotted ; irides, dark brown ; bill,
dark brown ; lower mandible, light brown ; legs and feel,
pale brown. Length, about six inches. Tiie female closely
resembles the male. This species is subject to much varia-
tion in colour of i)luniage.
62
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
1Ricbar&'6 Ipipit
Richard's Pipit {Anihus Richardt, Vieillot) is an irregular
autumn migrant to the British Islands, and is also found
inhabiting Central Asia, and during migration is met
with accidentally in various parts of Europe, wintering
in Southern Asia and North -Eastern Africa. The adult
male in nuptial plumage has the upper parts mostly of a
yellowish-brown tint, with darker centres to the feathers
of the head and back; eye-stripe, whitish; two outermost
tail-feathers, nearly white; under parts, dull white, tinged
on breast and sides with reddish-brown, and streaked with
dark brown ; irides, hazel ; bill, dark brown, paler beneath ;
legs and feet, pale brown. Length, from seven to eight
inches. This pipit can easily be distinguished from other
pipits by its large size and developed hind claw.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRcb^^tbroateJ) pipit
63
The Red-throated Pipit {Anthits cervinus, Pallas) is an
extremely rare spring migrant to the British Islands, visiting
Arctic Europe and Asia during summer, and wintering
in North-Eastern Africa and the South of Asia. The adult
male in summer has the upper parts sandy-brown, tinged
with olive ; centre of feathers with bold markings of dark
brown ; wings, dark brown, margined with paler ; above
and below the eye, sides of neck, throat, and chest, rusty
red ; tail, dark brown, with paler margins ; two outermost
feathers principally white ; under parts, pale buffish-brown,
thinly streaked with dark brown ; irides, brown ; bill,
brown; base beneath, yellowish; legs and feet, light
brown. Length, about six inches. The adult female in
summer is similar to the male, but lacks the rusty red on
the chest.
64
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Comnion Creeper.
The Common Creeper {Certhia faniiliaris, Linnaeus) is a
more or less commonly distributed resident species in the
British Islands, and throughout most parts of Europe. The
adult has the crown of the head dark brown, with whitish
centres to the feathers ; stripe over eye, whitish ; nape and
mantle, rufous -brown, streaked in centre of feathers with
buffish-white; wnngs, brown, barred with paler brow^n ;
secondaries, tipped with whitish ; under parts, silvery-white,
tinged with buff on the flanks ; tail, graduated with stiff
points, and dull reddish-brown in colour, the feathers having
yellowish shafts ; irides, hazel ; bill, strongly decurved,
dark brown ; beneath, yellowish ; legs and feet, pale
brown. Length, about five inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
65
MalUCreepcr.
The Wall-Creeper {licJiodroma viuraria^ Linnaius), which
is an exceedingly rare and irregular spring and autumn
migrant to the British Isles, is a resident in the moun-
tainous parts of Southern Europe, and is also met with
in some portions of the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada. The
adult male in summer has the upper parts pearl-grey ; top
of head, tinged with brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts,
blackish ; tail, black, tipped with grey and white ; wing-
coverts and basal halves of outer webs of primaries, rich
crimson ; rest of primaries, dark brown, with conspicuous
66
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
spots of white on longest quills, the latter tipped with
white ; belly and under tail-coverts, black ; irides, brown ;
bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, about six inches. The
adult female in summer is similar to the male.
3firecre6t
Joff/w JJuf^CftA/
The Firecrest {Regmus ignicapillus, Brehm) is an abnormal
autumn and winter migrant to the British Isles, and is a
resident in most of temperate Europe, but does not travel
so far northwards as the golden-crested wren. The adult
male is " above, olive-green ; brighter on sides of neck ;
frontal band and sides of face, whitish, with a black line
through the eye ; centre of crown, orange-yellow, bordered
by a broad black line on either side; ear-coverts, slaty;
wings and tail, dark brown, with pale margins, crossed by
two white bars; beneath, dull buffish-white." Irides, hazel;
bill, legs, and feet, dark brown. Length, about three
inches. The female is duller.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(5ol&crc6t
67
John DuNCAf/'.
The Goldcrest {Regulus cristatus^ Koch) is a generally and
widely distributed resident throughout the British Isles in
suitable localities. It is also met with over the whole of
Europe, north to the Arctic Circle, and occurs in temperate
Asia as far east as the Amoor. The adult has the feathers
on crown bright golden orange, paler at sides and bordered
with black ; forehead, dingy olive ; lores, greyish-white ;
eye-stripe, cheeks, and throat, brownish-yellow ; upper
parts, olive-green ; primaries, greyish-brown, margined with
yellowish ; secondaries, black on lower parts and tipped
with whitish ; greater and median wing-coverts, margined
with white ; under parts, greenish-buff, becoming whiter on
abdomen ; tail, ash-brown, margined with yellowish ; irides,
brown; bill, dark brown; legs and feet, brown. Length,
about three inches.
68
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common IHutbatcb.
The Common Nuthatch {Sitfa cassia, Wolf) is a very local
resident species, being met with principally in England. It
is of rare occurrence in Scotland, and, so far, has not
been known to occur in Ireland. It also inhabits Central
Europe, and is found in Asia Minor and Palestine. The
adult has the upper parts slaty-blue ; chin, whitish, shading
into brownish-buff beneath ; flanks, tinged with chestnut ;
from the base of the bill a black band reaches to each eye,.
extending behind the eye along the sides of the neck;
primaries, greyish-brown ; tail-feathers, with the exception of
centre ones, black, tipped with grey ; outermost rectrices,
blackish, tipped with grey and barred with white; irides,
hazel ; bill, dark horn colour ; base beneath, whitish ; legs
and feet, pale brown. Length, about five inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
69
Bcarbcb ^itntouee^
' 'John Duncan.
The Bearded Titmouse I^Panurus biarniicus, Linnxus) is
a resident species in the British Islands, but is chiefly con-
fined to the vicinity of the Norfolk Broads. It is also a
resident in Europe and Central Asia. The adult male in
summer has the crown grey ; moustachial line, black ;
nape, back, and rump, rufous-brown ; scapulars, buffish-
white ; lesser wing-coverts, greyish-brown, with buff tips ;
greater wing-coverts, black, broadly margined and tipped
with rufous-brown ; wings, dark brown ; primaries, edged
broadly and tipped with white ; secondaries, edged with
russet; throat, dull white; breast, tinged with flesh colour;
sides, reddish-buff; tail, which is graduated, reddish-fawn
colour; outer feathers, with white edges; under tail-coverts,
black ; irides, yellow ; bill, yellow ; legs and feet, black.
Length, about six inches. The female has no black mous-
tachial line.
yo BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Xono^'tailet) ^itmouee.
The Long-tailed Titmouse {Acredula candata rosea, Blyth)
is a resident species generally distributed over the British
Islands. It also occurs in Western Europe, France, Bel-
gium, and in the Rhine district. The adult male has the
head black and white ; above, black and pink ; below, rosy
grey ; irides, brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length,
about six inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
71
Crestcb ^itinouec.
. , -.,_'«
The Crested Titmouse {Funis cris/afus, Linnceus) is said
to be a " resident only in the forests which clothe the
valley of the Spey and the adjacent rivers." It is also
found inhabiting Northern and Central Europe. The adult
has the feathers on head black, broadly tipped with white;
the feathers springing from the crown backwards are con-
siderably elongated and form a conical crest ; cheeks,
whitish, marked with a few black specks; ear-coverts, black,
behind which is a collar of white, margined by a black
line reaching from the nape and joining the throat, which,
with the chin and upper breast, is also black; upper parts,
pale yellowish-brown; primaries and tail, brownish; under
parts, white, tinged witli ochreous; irides, brown; bill,
black; legs and feet, leaden colour. Lengtii, about four
inches. The female has a shorter crest, and the black on
the throat is less developed.
72 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
flDareb ^itntouac.
The Marsh Titmouse {Parus palustris, Linnaeus, and Funis
palustris Dresseri, Stejneger) is a resident species in some
counties in England and Wales, but in Scotland it becomes
very local, and in Ireland it appears to be scarce. It is
a common resident throughout Central Europe, but in
Southern Europe it becomes scarcer. The adult has the
head, nape, and throat, black; upper parts, olive-brown;
primaries and tail, ashy-brown; outer margins of feathers,
edged with paler brown; sides of head, whitish; under
parts, ashy-white, tinged on flanks with buff; irides, brown;
bill, black; legs and feet, bluish-grey. Length, about four
inches. The female is similar in colour to the male. The
young closely resemble the adults, but the colours are not
so bright.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 73
Coal vritmou6c.
The Coal Titmouse {Parus ater, LinncTus ; Pants ater
Brita?uiicus, Sharpe and Dresser) is a cjenerally distributed,
though not very numerous, species throughout the British
Isles. It also is a resident in most parts of Europe, as
well as North -Western Asia. The adult has the head,
nape of the neck, and throat, glossy black ; cheeks, sides of
the neck, and a central spot in the nape, Nvhite ; back
and scapulars, greenish -brown, tinged with grey: rump,
yellowish-grey; wings, greyish-brown, margined with paler
brown ; the greater and lesser coverts, tipped with dull
white, forming two bars across the wings ; tail, greyish-
brown ; breast and abdomen, dull white ; flanks, buftish ;
irides, brown; bill, blackish; legs and feet, bluish -grey.
Length, about four inches. The female is similar to the
male.
74 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
ffiluc ^itmouec.
The Blue Titmouse {Parus aiiruleus, Linnaeus) is a com-
mon resident in the British Isles, and also in Central and
Southern Europe. The adult has the crown of the head
cobalt blue ; forehead, and a line running backward over
the eyes encircling the head, white ; cheeks, white ; streak
before and behind the eye, black ; nape of the neck, collar,
and throat, deep blue-black; back, olive, tinged with yellow;
rump, paler; wings and tail, blue; greater coverts and
secondaries, tipped with white ; under parts, sulphur-yellow;
irides, dark brown ; bill, bluish ; legs and feet, bluish-grey.
Length, about four inches. The female is duller in
colouration. The young show less blue and more yellow
in comparison to their otherwise dingy plumage.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 75
(Brcat ^itmouec
'^f-^JoHA/Uur/CA/i/. \
The Great Titmouse {Parus major^ Linnrcus) is one of
the commonest and most widely distributed of the resident
titmice found in the British Islands. It is also a resident
species in Central and Southern LLurope, as well as Eastern
Asia, and it occurs in some parts of Northern Africa. The
adult has the head and throat glossy black, iridescent with
rich blue ; ear-coverts and cheeks, white ; nape, yellowish-
green, showing a whitish spot in the centre ; hack,
yellowish-green ; rump and tail, bluish-grey, the latter
having the exterior feathers of outer webs wliite ; greater
coverts tipped with white, margined externally with grey ;
primaries, blackish ; chest, and centre of abdomen, black ;
rest of under parts, dull sulphur-yellow ; irides, dark brown ;
bill, black ; legs and feet, slate colour. Lengtii, about six
inches.
76 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES,
Maywing.
The Waxwing {Ainpelis garrubis^ Linnaeus) is a nomadic
autumn and winter migrant to the British Isles. It is found
inhabiting the Northern Nearctic and Palearctic Regions.
The adult male has the forehead and crest reddish-chest-
nut; from the base of the bill a broad black streak passes
through and over the eye; throat, black; upper parts,
generally light greyish -brown ; primaries, blackish, with
the outer web towards the tip white on the outer feather,
and yellow on the inner ones ; the inner web with broad
tips of white; secondaries, blackish -grey, tipped with red
sealing-wax-like points, and terminated with a broad bar
of yellow ; under parts, vinous red ; irides, reddish-brown ;
bill, black; base beneath, pale horn colour; legs and feet,
black. Length, about seven inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
77
IRcb^bachcb Sbrihc
The Red-backed Shrike {Lanius collurio, Linna:iis) is a
fairly well distributed species in the British Islands during
the summer, especially over Wales and Southern and Cen-
tral England. It is also said to be met with in South
Scandinavia, Asia Minor, and Turkestan, moving south-
ward in winter to Africa. The adult male has the crown
of the head, nape, upper back, rump, and upper tail-coverts,
bright ash-grey; lores, feathers round the eye, and car-
coverts, black; back and scapulars, rich chestnut - brown ;
wing-coverts, black, edged broadly with chestnut ; wings,
black ; quills, narrowly edged with chestnut ; secondaries,
with broad margins of the same colour ; middle feathers
of tail, black ; remainder with more or less white at base,
and tipped with white ; chin, white ; lower parts, rose-red ;
irides, brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, about
seven inches. The adult female can be distinguished by
having no black about the head.
78 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Moobcbat Qbvikc.
^-lier i^UriQ/^H'
The Woodchat Shrike (Lanius n/f/is, Brisson) is only an
accidental visitor to the British Isles, mostly during mi-
gration. It is said to be a summer visitant to Central and
Southern Europe, nesting as far east as Persia, and as far
north as the shores of the Baltic. The adult male has the
forehead, space round eye, ear-coverts, sides of neck and
upper portion of back, black ; lores, white ; crown, nape,
and upper back, rich chestnut ; rump, white ; lower back,
grey; longest upper tail-coverts, grey; tail, black, central
two rectrices white at base and with white tips ; outermost
two tail-feathers nearly all white on outer web; wings, black;
basal portion of quills, white, showing a conspicuous spot ;
secondaries, tipped with white ; under parts, white ; irides,
hazel-brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, from six
to seven inches. The female is similar to the male, but the
-colouration is duller.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
79
Xe^eer (5re? Sbrihc,
The Lesser Grey Shrike {Laiiius minor, Gmelin) is a rare
abnormal spring and autumn migrant to the British Islands.
It is a summer visitor to Central and Southern Europe,
where it breeds, and winters in Southern Africa. The adult
male has the crown of the head, hinder crown, nape, hind
neck, mantle, scapulars, upper and lower back, pearl-grey;
rump, lighter ; tail, black, feathers more or less marked with
white ; two outermost ones on each side, all white ; frontal
band, feathers round eye, and ear-coverts, black ; wings,
black, with a conspicuous white spot ; cheeks, white ; under
parts, white, tinged with rosy on breast and flanks ; irides,
brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, about eight
inches. The female shows less black on the front of the
head.
8o
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(Brcat (Brc? Sbrikc*
'''JOMA/JjmCAN
The Great Grey Shrike {Lajiius excuhitor^ Linnaeus) is an
autumn and winter migrant to the British Islands, and a
summer visitor to Northern and Central Europe, spending
the winter in Southern Europe. The adult male has the
crown and upper parts pearl-grey, getting more ashy towards
the tail-coverts, the latter being tipped with white; forehead
and eye-stripe, white; wings, black; secondaries, white at
bases, and tipped with white; quills, barred with white near
their bases, and forming two white spots; lores, and below
eye, and auriculars, black; under parts, white; two centre
tail-feathers, black, next two, whitish; outermost ones, all
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 8i
white; irides, brown; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length,
about nine inches. The adult female is similar to the male,
but the colouration is duller.
Pallas's Grey Shrike {Laniiis major, Pallas) is said to be a
fairly frequent autumn migrant to the British Isles, and to
inhabit Siberia and Manchuria, south of about lat. 65°.
This shrike closely resembles Lanius excubUo7\ but has
only one white wing bar, whilst the latter has two. 7'he
adult sexes are similar in colour.
Cbiffchaff.
The Chiffchaff {Phylloscopiis ritfus, licchstein), which is a
spring migrant to the British Islands, is also a summer
visitant to Northern temperate Europe, spending the winter
on the shores of the Mediterranean. The adult in summer
has the general colour of the upper parts olive-green;
rump, yellowish-green; tail, brown, edged with yellowish-
green; wings, brown, with yellowish-green edgings; cye-
6
82
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
stripe, pale yellow, shading into white behind ear-coverts;
lores, olive; chin and throat, whitish; primaries, brown,
edged on the outside webs with olive-green, and narrowly
tipped with white; under parts, whitish, tinged with greenish-
buff; irides, brown; bill, legs, and feet, blackish-brown.
Length, about four inches. The adult female is similar to
the male. The young resemble the adults, but underneath
they are wholly olive-yellow.
pallas^s Millow Mreit
Pallas's Willow Wren {Phylloscopus proregiilics, Pallas) is
an exceedingly rare visitor to the British Isles. An example
of this wren was killed on October 31st, 1895, ^^ Cley, in
Norfolk. It bears a great resemblance to Phylloscopus
superciliosus, but can easily be distinguished from the latter
by the pale mesial line on the crown, and by the strikingly
pale yellow rump.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
83
36l?tb'5 Millow Mren,
Blyth's Willow Wren {Phylloscopus vin'daniis, Blyth) is a
very rare visitor to the British Isles, and is a native of
Central Asia, nesting in Turkestan, and wintering in India.
A specimen was procured on September 5th, 1895, at
North Cotes, on the Lincolnshire coast. This warbler
closely resembles Phyiloscopus irocJiilus^ but shows a con-
spicuous wing bar.
84
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
l^cUow*browe5 MiUow Mren,
The Yellow-browed "Willow Wren {Phylloscopiis supercili-
osiis^ Gmelin) is an exceedingly rare abnormal autumn
migrant to the British Isles. It is found inhabiting the
North-east Palearctic Region. The adult male in summer
is above "greyish-olive, washed with green on rump and
upper tail-coverts ; wings, brown, crossed by two con-
spicuous whitish bars ; most of feathers externally margined
with yellowish-green ; from base of bill to nape a broad
greyish-white streak, with a dark one immediately below it
and through the eye; beneath, white, washed with yellowish-
green, especially on flanks ; axillaries, yellow ; " irides, dark
brown ; bill, legs, and feet, brown. Length, about three
inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
85
Millow Mren.
The Willow Wren {Phylloscopus troc/iilus, Linnceus) is a
common summer visitant to the British Islands from Africa
and Persia, moving northwards to the Arctic Regions. The
adult in summer has the general colour of the upper parts
olive-green, shading into yellower on the rump; wing-coverts,
olive, with edgings of olive-green ; primaries, brown, tipped
narrowly with greyish-white; tail, dull brown; eye-streak
and ear-coverts, pale yellow; most of under parts, white,
tinged with yellow; breast and flanks, suffused with yellowish-
buff; irides, hazel; bill, legs, and feet, brown. Length,
about five inches. The female is similar to the male in
colouration. The young show more yellow on the under
parts than the adults.
S6
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
mioob Mreii
r:.^_-?-:.C-..-ii^^^iM^
The Wood Wren (^Phylloscopus sibilatrix^ Bechstein) is a
summer visitor to the British Islands, and also to the tem-
perate parts of Northern Europe. It wends its way to
North Africa to spend the winter. The adult male in
nuptial plumage has the upper parts yellowish -green; a
broad streak of sulphur-yellow passes over and behind the
eye; wing-coverts, olive-green, margined with paler green;
primaries, brown, tipped with whitish, and edged with
yellowish -green; tail, greyish-brown; throat and breast,
sulphur- yellow; abdomen and under tail-coverts, white;
irides, hazel; bill, dark brown, much lighter below; legs
and feet, brown. Length, from four to five inches. The
female is similar in plumage to the male.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
2>artfoi*b Marblcr.
JOHI^ DomCAU
The Dart ford Warbler {Sy/via provincialis, Gmelin) is a
resident species in the British Isles, but is principally con-
fined to the south. It is also found as a resident in
the Western and Southern parts of Europe. The adult
male in summer has the head deep slate-colour ; nape and
back, sooty-brown ; tail, very dark grey ; outer feathers,
margined and tipped with whitish ; innermost secondaries,
wing-coverts, and primary feathers, dark brown, with paler
margins ; some white streaks on the throat ; under parts,
chestnut-brown, merging into white on the centre of the
abdomen ; irides, orange-yellow ; bill, very dark brown :
base of under mandible, paler ; legs, feet, and claws,
brown. Length, five inches. The adult female in summer
has the under parts light cinnamon-brown, with the ex-
ception of the centre of the belly, which is whiti-.
88
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
%CBBCV Mbitetbroat
The Lesser Whitethroat {^Sylvia curruca^ Linnaeus), which
is a spring migrant to the British Isles, nests throughout
most parts of Europe, and winters in Africa. The adult
male in summer plumage has the upper parts light slate-
grey, suffused more or less with brown on the back, lores,
and ear-coverts; eye-stripe, barely discernible; primaries,
brown ; innermost secondaries, margined broadly with
lighter brown ; tail, brown ; outer tail-feathers on each side,
white ; breast and flanks, very pale brown ; remainder of
under parts, white: irides, hazel; bill, blackish, lighter at base
beneath ; legs, feet, and claws, bluish-grey. Length, about
five inches. The female closely resembles the male, but
the eye-stripe is absent. The young are similar to the adult
female.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
89
Mbitctbroat.
The Whitethroat {Sylvia cuierea, Bechstein) is a common
and widely distributed summer visitor to the British Isles,
and is also a summer visitant to most parts of Europe,
passing the winter in Southern Africa. The adult male
in nuptial plumage has the head and neck ashy-grey;
mantle, greyish-brown ; upper tail-coverts, ash-grey ; tail,
dark greyish-brown ; outermost tail-feathers, edged with
whitish ; the next pair tipped broadly with white ; wings,
brown ; secondaries, broadly margined with pale chestnut ;
throat and abdomen, white, tinged with vinous on breast ;
flanks, buff; irides, hazel; bill, dark brown; legs and feet,
pale brown. Length, about five inches. The adult female
shows no vinous tinge on breast, and the rest of the
plumage is duller.
go
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(5ar&en Marbler
The Garden Warbler {Sylvia horiensis, Gmelin), which is
a spring and summer visitor to the British Isles, is said to
be found everywhere throughout Europe. It winters in
Africa. The adult male in summer plumage has the upper
parts olive-brown; darker on the wings and tail; eye-
streak, pale olive-brown; primaries, dark brown, with lighter
margins on wing-coverts and innermost secondaries ; under-
neath, mostly buffish-white; centre of abdomen, whiter;
breast and flanks, pale olive-brown or buffish-brown ; centre
of under tail-coverts, buffish-brown ; irides, hazel ; bill,
dark brown ; base of lower mandible, paler ; legs, feet,
and claws, bluish-grey. Length, from five to six inches.
The adult female is similar to the male, but a little paler
in colouration. The young show broad pale margins on
primaries and secondaries.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
91
Blachcap Marblcn
, :^a/vCAi
The Blackcap Warbler {Sylvia atricapilla, Linnaeus) is a
summer visitor to the British Islands, being generally,
although somewhat locally, distributed throughout England
and Wales. It becomes rarer in Scotland, and in Ireland
is very sparingly dispersed. It is a resident in Southern
Europe, also in the northern parts of Africa, and in
summer extends northwards through the temperate regions
of Europe. The adult male in summer has the forehead,
crown, and occiput, black ; general colour of upper
parts, bluish-grey, slightly tinged with olive-brown, most
prominently on the margins of i:)rimaries and tail-feathers ;
throat and under parts, greyish-ash ; chin and belly,
paler ; irides, hazel ; bill, horn colour ; legs and feet, lead
colour. Length, about five inches. The adult female
has the top of the head reddish-brown ; remainder, browner
than the male.
92 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
©rpbcau Marbler.
The Orphean Warbler {Sylvia orphea, Temminck) is a very
rare irregular spring migrant to the British Islands. It
nests throughout the whole of Central and Southern
Europe and Northern Africa. The adult male has the
general colour of the upper parts slate-grey, with a brown
tinge; wings and tail, brown, broadly margined with ashy;
outermost tail-feathers, white on outer webs; head, lores, and
ear-coverts, blackish; cheeks, throat, and remainder of
under parts, white, tinged on breast and flanks with huffish;
under tail-coverts, buff; irides, pale yellow; bill, blackish,
base beneath, paler; legs and feet, dark brown. Length,
about six inches. The adult female is similar to the male,
but the colour of the plumage is duller. The young resemble
the female.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
93
Subalpinc Marblcn
The Subalpine AVarbler {Sylvia subalplna^ Bonelli) is an
exceedingly- rare visitor to the British Isles, and is a summer
visitor from Northern Africa to the basin of the Mediter-
ranean. The adult male in summer is above, ashy-grey;
wings and tail, brown, feathers edged with paler brown;
throat and chest, reddish-chestnut, bordered on either side
by a white line from base of bill; remainder of under parts
chiefly white; irides, brown; eyelids, red; bill and legs^
brown. Leno;th, about five inches.
BaiTcb Marbler.
The Barred ^VarblL•r {Sy/via nison'a, Bcchstein) is a very
rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British Islands. It is
a summer visitant from North-Eastern and Central Africa to-
most parts of both Central and Southern Europe. The
adult male in summer has the general colour of the upper
parts brownish-grey; primaries, wing-coverts, and innermost
secondaries, browner, with broad tips of white to the two
latter; head and rump, greyish-brown; most feathers above,
with the exception of middle of back, have more or less
94 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
broad tips of white, and a subterminal dark bar; below,
white, washed with grey; and barred on chin, throat, breast,
sides, and under tail-coverts with brown; irides, light
yellow; bill, dark brown, pale at base of under mandible;
legs and feet, light slaty-brown. Length, about six inches.
flDarsb Marblcr.
The Marsh Warbler {Acrocephalus palust?'is, Bechstein),
which is said to be the most local of all warblers that visit
us for nesting purposes, is a summer migrant and reaches
the British shores in May. It has occurred in Somerset-
shire, Cambridgeshire, and Gloucestershire. This species
breeds in Central and Southern Europe, and winters in
Africa. The adult closely resembles the reed warbler, but
is said to be " more olivaceous-brown above and whiter
beneath; and with a more pointed wing; and second primary
longer than fourth ; legs, brownish flesh colour ; irides, dark
brown." Length, about five inches. The young are de-
scribed as being greener on the upper parts than the adults.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
95
1Rufou6 Marblcr.
{JoHM JOu/^C/iAf
The Rufous Warbler (Aedon galadodes^ Temminck) is an
exceedingly rare autumn migrant to the British Islands.
It nests in South-Western Europe, and winters in Africa.
The adult has the upper parts chestnut; wing-coverts and
primaries, brown, margined on outside web with creamy-
white ; superciliary stripe, creamy-white ; tail, bright chest-
nut, banded with black at terminal end, and followed by
tips of white to all the feathers excepting central pair ;
beneath, creamy-white ; irides, dark hazel : bill, above,
brown ; below, paler at base ; legs and feet, light brown.
Length, about six inches. The female resembles the
male. The young are similar to the adults, but are said
to have the primaries and wing-coverts broadly margined
Avith light fulvous.
96 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRceb Maibler.
The Reed Warbler {Acrocephahis arundinaceus^ Brisson)
is a summer visitor to our islands, its principal headquarters
being in the Southern, Midland, and Eastern Counties. Its
range outside the British Islands is the same as that of the
marsh warbler. The adult in summer garb has the general
colour of the upper parts olive-brown, tinged with rufous,
especially on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; wings and
tail, brown, edged with paler brown ; under parts, white,
shading into buff on the sides, thighs, and under tail-
coverts ; a pale buff streak passes over each eye ; irides,
brown ; bill, pale brown, base of lower mandible paler :
legs, slaty-brown. Length, about five inches. The adult
female closely resembles the male. The young are similar
in colouration, but show more buff underneath.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
97
Sebge Marbler*
The Sedge Warbler {Acroccp/ialus phragniitis^ Bechstein) is
a summer visitor to the British Isles, and is commonly
distributed in all suitable localities. It is said to breed
throughout most parts of Europe, and occurs as far east-
ward as the valley of the Yenisei, and a short distance
north of the Arctic Circle. The adult in summer has the
upper parts russet-brown, with dusky-brown centres to the
feathers ; eye-stripe, buffish-white ; rump, ycUowish-rufous ;
crown, streaked with brown ; wings and tail, brown, mar-
gined with paler brown ; beneatli, buffish-white, tinged on
flanks with yellowish-brown; irides, hazel; bill, dark brown,
paler below ; legs, feet, and claws, pale brown. Length,
98 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
five inches. The female shows less rufous on the rump,
and the general colour of the plumage is duller than the
male.
Great IReeb Marbler.
The Great Reed Warbler {Acrocephalus furdoides, Meyer)
is a very rare irregular spring and autumn migrant to the
British Isles. It breeds in both Central and Southern
Europe, and in winter is a resident in Africa. The
adult has the general colour above, pale brown, tinged
on wings, rump, and tail with rufous-brown ; superciliary
stripe, very indistinct; chin, throat, and centre of belly,
nearly white ; rest of under parts, light rufous-brown ; irides,
brown ; bill, dark brown ; underneath, light brown ; legs,
light horn colour. Length, about eight inches. The young
show more red on the upper parts, and more fawn colour
below.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
99
aquatic Marblcr.
/0«A. UunCfi'J
The Aquatic Warbler {Acrocephalus aijuaticiis^ Gmelin)
is a very rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British
Islands, breeding in Central and Southern Europe from
the Atlantic to the Urals. It is supposed to winter in
Africa. The adult bears a close resemblance to the
sedge warbler {AcrocepJialus phrdgniiiis), but can readily
be distinguished from that bird by its having only two
broad, distinct, and conspicuous dark stripes on the crown,
and beinc: less in size.
lOO
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
flDeIo&(ou0 Marblcr.
b-
The Melodious Warbler {Hypolais polyglotta, Viell) has
one British record, and is found inhabiting South-Western
Europe and North-Western Africa. The adult male in
summer is, above, greyish-olive, darker on head ; super-
ciliary streak, yellowish ; wings and tail, browai, margined
with lighter; beneath, pale yellow; sides of neck and
flanks, tinged with pale brow^nish-olive ; irides, brown ;
bill on upper part, brown ; underneath, yellowisli at base ;
legs and feet, greyish-brown. Length, about four inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. loi
Graeeboppcr Marblcr
The Grasshopper Warbler {Locustella locustella, Latham)
is a summer visitor to the British Isles, and found nesting
in most parts of England and Wales ; it, however, becomes
rarer northwards of Northumberland and Durham. It is
distributed over the greater part of Europe, and is found
as far north as St. Petersburg, wintering in Northern
Africa, and it is said occasionally to winter in Southern
Europe. The adult male has the upper parts olive-brown,
with dark centres to the feathers; primaries and tail, brown,
with faint bars on the latter ; beneath, pale brown ; neck
and breast, spotted with darker brown ; dark centres on
under tail-coverts ; irides, brown ; bill, legs, and feet,
brown. Length, about five inches. The adult female
closely resembles the male in colouration.
I02
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Sa\)i^6 Marblcr,
Savi's Warbler {Locustella luschiioides, Savi) at one time
was a regular summer visitant to the Fen districts of
England ; but, owing to the drainage of the marshes
which it used to frequent, it is now in all probability
extinct in the British Islands. Savi's warbler is locally
distributed through Central and Southern Europe. The
adult is uniform russet-brown above ; eye-stripe, indistinct;
under parts, pale buffish-brown, shading into nearly white
on the throat and centre of abdomen ; under tail-coverts,
pale chestnut, with obscure pale tips ; irides, hazel ; bill,
dark brown above, horn colour below ; legs, feet, and
claws, light brown. Length, about five inches. The adult
sexes are said to be alike.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 103
Scterine Marblcr.
The Icterine Warbler {Hypolais hypolais^ Linnaeus) is a
rare accidental spring and autumn migrant to the British
Isles, breeding in Northern and Central Europe. On
migration, it passes through Southern Europe, spending
the winter in Africa. The adult in summer is, above,
olive -green ; eye-stripe and axillaries, greenish -yellow ;
wings and tail, brown, with whitish margins : under
parts, yellow, tinged with green ; iridcs, brown ; bill on
upper mandible, brown ; beneath, horn colour ; legs and
feet, greyish. Length, about five inches. The adult female
is similar to the male.
I04
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Song ?Cbru6b,
The Song Thrush {Turdus vinsiciis^ Linnaeus) is generally
distributed throughout the British Isles. It is more or
less migratory in its habits, leaving in the late autumn
and returning in early spring. The adult is dark olive-
brown on the upper parts; eye -stripe, buff; quills and
wing-coverts, margined with deep yellowish -brown, and
there are buff tips to some of the feathers ; under parts,
buff, shading into white on belly; sides of throat, chest,
and remainder of body, profusely spotted and blotched
with dark brown ; irides, legs, and feet, pale brown ; bill,
dark brown. Length, about eight inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
05
flDi69el ^bru5b.
The Missel Thrush {Tiirdus viscivonis, Einnnsus) is a
resident and widely distributed species throughout the
wooded districts of the British Islands. It is also found as
a resident in most parts of temperate Europe. In those
countries where the winters are severe, it migrates to South
Europe and North Africa. The adult has the head and
upper parts greyish-brown, tinged with rufous; rump, tinged
with yellowish ; tail, ash-grey ; outer feathers, tipped with
dull white; inner webs of outermost feathers, also whitish ;
under parts, buffish-white, boldly spotted with large dark
brown fan-shaped spots, becoming smaller and more
triangular on the throat ; irides, dark brown ; bill, dark
brown, base beneath paler ; legs, pale brown. Length,
about eleven inches. The female closely resembles the
male.
io6
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRebwiuQ.
JuHA/ Du/v'cAr/.
The Redwing {Tiirdus t'liacus, Linnaeus) is a common
autumn and winter visitor to the British Isles, and breeds
throughout most parts of the Northern Palearctic Region
from Norway to the valley of the Yenisei. The adult can
easily be distinguished from the song thrush {Turdus
viusiciis) by its broad and well-defined white eye-stripe, and
by the rich chestnut on the sides of the body, under wang-
coverts, and axillaries.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
fielbfarc.
The Fieldfare {2'u/dus pilaris, Linnicus) is a common
autumn migrant to the British Isles; it also occurs during
winter in Southern and Western Europe, and during the
nesting time inhabits the northern pine regions of Europe
and Asia. The adult male in summer has the head, neck,
and rump grey, the colouration of the rump being brighter ;
feathers on crown, marked with blackish centres; middle of
back, wing-coverts, and scapulars, chestnut; wings and
tail, blackish-brown, with narrow pale margins to the
former; wings, lighter in colour than the tail; eye -stripe,
whitish; cheeks, throat, and breast, ochreous-buff, streaked
with black; flanks, marked boldly with blackish-l)rown;
centre of abdomen, white; bill, yellow; irides, brown; legs
and feet, blackish. Length, about ten inches. The female
closely resembles the male.
io8
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Blachbirb.
/O^A/ IJurJcAf^'^ ^^
The Blackbird {Mefiila iiie)ula, Linnasus) is a widely dis-
tributed resident species in the British Islands. It is also
a resident in most parts of Europe, the Azores, Northern
Africa, and Palestine. In summer it visits those regions only
which are immediately south of the Arctic Circle. The
adult male has the whole of the plumage glossy black, with
the exception of the primaries, which are a shade browner;
irides, dark brown; bill, orange-yellow; legs and feet, dark
brown. Length, from ten to eleven inches. The adult
female is easily recognised by its umber-brown and rufous
colouration. The young females are, above, blackish-brown,
with most of the feathers streaked with pale rufous; under
parts, light rufous-brown.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
109
IRing ®U3cL
The Ring Ouzel {Merula iorquaia, Linnceus) is a summer
visitor to the British Isles. It is also found in the
mountainous regions of temperate Europe, and in winter is
a resident in Northern and Central Africa, also in Asia
Minor. The adult male in summer is blackish-brown on
the upper and under parts of the body, the feathers mar-
gined with paler more or less ; on the upper part of the
breast there is a broad gorget of white ; axillaries, greyish-
brown ; irides, dark brown ; bill, yellow ; legs and feet,
brown. Length, between ten and eleven inches. The
female is browner than tlie male ; the gorget is duller, being
tinged with brownish. The young have the upi^er and
under parts barred with l)ro\vn and black.
no
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Blacft^'tbroatcb ®ii3cL
The Black -throated Ouzel {Merula atrigidaris, Temminck)
is an exceedingly rare autumn migrant to the British Islands,
and breeds in Siberia, as far south in Asia as the Himalayas
and Turkestan, and in winter south to Northern India and
Persia. The adult male has the upper parts olive-brown ;
throat and breast, black ; abdomen, white ; sides and
flanks, greyish-brown ; tail, dark brown ; axillaries, rich
chestnut ; irides, dark brown ; bill, dark brown on upper
mandible, lighter below ; legs and feet, light brown.
Length, about nine inches. The adult female lacks the
black on the throat and breast, the feathers having dark
centres; lower throat, uniform buffish-white. The young
males are said to be similar to the adult females.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Mbite'5 (5roun& ZTbrusb.
White's Ground Thrush {Geocichia varia, Pallas) is a very
rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British Islands from
Southern Central Asia. The adult (which cannot well be
confounded with any other of our British thrushes) has the
upper parts of plumage olive-brown, with black tips to the
feathers; under parts white, tinged with buff, and marked
with black crescent-shaped spots ; the tail consists of four-
teen feathers. Length, about twelve inches.
112
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Siberian (5roun& ^brueb*
The Siberian Ground Thrush {Geocichla sidrica, Pallas)^
which is a very rare irregular autumn migrant to the
British Isles, is a straggler from Northern Asia. The
adult male has the general colour of the upper parts deep
slate-grey, margined with paler ; central tail-feathers, dark
slate-grey; rest, blackish, the two outer ones tipped with
white ; eye-stripe, white and broad ; under parts, greyish,
changing into white on centre of belly : under tail-coverts
have white tips ; irides, deep brown ; bill, blackish ; legs
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
II
and feet, pale brown. Length, about nine inches. The
adult female is brownish on the upper plumage ; bufifish on
breast, shading into white on belly; flanks, tinged with
brown.
1Roch::^Zi:bru6b,
The Rock-Thrush l^Moiiiicola saxati/is, Linnceus), which is
an exceedingly rare spring migrant to the British Islands,
is a summer visitant to certain portions of Central Europe
and Siberia. The adult male has the scapulars blackish,
tinged with blue ; middle of back, white ; head and neck,
slate-blue ; wing-feathers, brown ; upper tail-coverts and
tail, orange-chestnut ; the two central tail-feathers darker ;
throat, greyish-blue ; remainder of under parts, orange-
chestnut ; irides, hazel ; bill, black ; legs and feet, warm
brown. Length, about eight inches. The adult female
has mottlings of brown above and below ; throat, white,
mottled with brown ; tail, lighter than in the male.
8
114
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRobin.
The Robin {Erithacus tiibecula^ Linnaeus) is a well-known
resident species in the British Islands. It is also a resident
species in the temperate parts of Europe and Northern
Africa. The adult male has the head and upper parts of
body olive-brown ; forehead, throat, and upper portion of
breast, rich orange-chestnut; sides of neck, pale bluish-grey;
centre of belly, white ; flanks and under tail-coverts, buffish-
brown; irides, black; bill, black; legs and feet, pale brown.
Length, about five inches. The female closely resembles
the male. The young in first plumage have the upper and
under parts yellowish-brown, with dark tips to the feathers.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
115
arctic Bluc^tbroatcb IRobin,
^LJ^_ l-jJ^& 'l^igf^^^p- ^uncA/n
The Arctic Blue -throated Robin (Eril/iacus succica,
Brehm) is an abnormal spring and autumn migrant to the
British Isles. There are, says Seebohm, three forms of
this bird: — First, the Northern or Arctic form, with the spot
in the centre of the throat red ; secondly, the South Euro-
pean form, with the spot in the centre of the throat pure
and silky white; and thirdly, the form of whicli the throat
is uniform blue. Length, about five inches.
ii6
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRiQbtingalc.
The Nightingale {^Erithacus biscinia^ Linnaeus) is another
summer visitor to the British Isles, and is also met with in
Central and Southern Europe. It makes its way into
Africa to spend the winter. The adult has the upper parts
russet-brown, shadmg into rusty-red on upper tail-coverts
and tail; lores, buffish-white; beneath, buffish-white, shading
into greyish-white on breast and flanks; axillaries and under
wing-coverts, brownish -white; irides, hazel; bill, brown
above, paler beneath; legs and feet, brown. Length, about
six inches. The female closely resembles the male. The
young in first plumage have pale centres to most of the
feathers on upper parts; feathers of under parts have dark
mar£(ins.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
117
IRebstart
The Redstart {Ruticilla phcenicurus^ Linnaeus) is a summer
visitant to the British Islands. It is also found breeding in
Central and Northern Europe, south of the Arctic Circle,
and in autumn migrates through Southern Europe to
Northern Africa. The adult male has the forehead and
eye-streak white; head and back, slate-grey; wings, brown,
edged with paler brown ; rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail,
rich chestnut, with the exception of the two central feathers
of latter, which arc brown margined with rufous ; breast and
flanks, rich chestnut, shading into paler on abdomen; a
narrow band at base of upper mandible, sides of face, sides
of neck, and throat, rich black; irides, dark brown; bill,
black; legs and feet, blackish. Length, about five inches.
The female is in general colouration brown, with tail and
vent dull chestnut.
ii8
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Blacft 1Re&6tavt
The Black Redstart {Ruticilla tlihys, Scopoli) is a fairly
regular winter visitor to the British Isles, mostly along the
South Coast, including Cornwall, where it is frequently met
with. It is a resident in some parts south of the Alps, but
in winter the majority migrate to Northern Africa. The
adult male has the general colouration of the plumage
slate-grey ; wings, brown, with white margins on the out-
side webs of the secondaries ; rump, upper and under tail-
coverts, bright chestnut ; central feathers of the tail, brown,
externally margined with bright chestnut ; frontal band and
lores, black; chin, throat, cheeks, and breast, black; belly
and flanks, huffish ; irides, brown ; bill, black ; legs and
feet, blackish. Length, about six inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
119
Mbeatean
y^>'^-'-^^-_j^a..,t:!«V ^ —
The Wheatear {Saxicola a7ianthe^ Linnaeus) is a spring
visitor to the British Isles. In summer it is said to be
a "visitant to Central and Northern Europe, extending to
Iceland and Greenland, and eastwards throughout Northern
Siberia. In winter it ranges from Western and Northern
Africa to Persia and Northern India." The adult male in
summer has the upper parts bluish-grey ; wings, brownish-
black ; lower portion of neck and breast, warm buff; eye-
stripe, forehead, and rump, white; sides of face, black;
abdomen and vent, white ; the two centre tail-feathers,
blackish-brown, nearly to the base ; remainder white, tipped
broadly with black ; irides, dark brown ; bill, legs, and feet,
black. Length, between five and six inches. The female
has the plumage sandy-brown, deepest above ; the wings
and tail resemble those of the male in colouration. The
young are like the female, but show spots on upper and
under parts.
I20
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
36abeUine Mbeatcar.
JoHr/ Du/^CAf/.
The Isabelline Wheatear {Saxicola Isabellina, Ruppell),
which is an extremely rare autumn migrant to the British
Islands, is a resident in North-East Africa (from Abyssinia
to Egypt) and Palestine. It nests also in South -East
Russia and temperate Asia, and in winter migrates south-
ward. Howard Saunders says that this wheatear may easily
be mistaken for the female of the common wheatear, but
the broader lining to the quills will always distinguish it.
According to Bowdler Sharpe, it is also longer in the tarsus.
Length, about six inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
21
Blacft*tbroate5 Mbcatcar.
The Black-throated Wheatear {Saxicoia stapazina^ Vieillot)
is a very rare aV;normal migrant to the British Isles ; it also
occurs in the South of France and Spain, and is a resident
in North-West Africa. The male is described as having
the head and back sandy-rufous ; rump, white ; upper and
under parts of wings, black. Length, about five inches.
122
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Dc0ert Mbcatear
John IJunca.k
The Desert Wheatear {Saxicola desertt, Temminck) is a
rare autumn migrant to the British Islands. During sum-
mer it occurs in Algeria, Egypt, Arabia, and Palestine, and
in winter it ranges through Abyssinia to North-West India.
The adult male in summer has the general colour of the
upper parts buff, changing into white on rump and upper
tail-coverts ; tail, black, with white bases ; superciliary
stripe, whitish; cheeks, throat, and sides of neck, black;
wings, blackish-brown, with pale tips; under parts, white,
with a tinge of sandy-rufous on chest and flanks ; irides,
dark brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, from
five to six inches. In this species the feet are very small.
The adult female in summer has no black on the throat.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
123
Mbiucbat.
m'^W'
The Whinchat {Pratincola rubeira, Linnaeus) is a fairly
well distributed summer visitant to the British Islands. It
spends the summer throughout temperate Europe, and in
winter is a resident in Northern Africa. The adult male
has the crown of the head, back, and wing-coverts,
brownish-black ; the feathers margined with ochreous-
yellow; spot on bastard wing, white; a white line passes
from the base of the bill over the eyes reaching to the
nape of the neck ; ear-coverts and cheeks, brownish-black ;
chin and a streak along the sides of the neck, white ; rump,
yellowish-brown, with streaks of blackish-brown ; tail, dark
brown, with bases of all outermost feathers white ; centre
of throat and breast, fawn colour, shading into pale buff
on belly; irides, brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Lengtli,
about five inches.
124
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Stonccbat
''':^
The Stonechat {Pratincola ruMcola, Linnreus) is a somewhat
generally dispersed resident, and partially migratory, species
in the British Islands. It is also found inhabiting the
temperate parts of Europe west of the Volga. During
the winter it is a resident in Africa. The adult male in
nuptial plumage has the sides of the neck and upper
parts of wings white ; rump, white, with dark centres and
rufous margins ; tail, black, with brown margins ; back,
black, feathers margined with yellowish-brown ; wings,
brownish-black ; sides of face and throat, black ; under
parts, rufous-brown ; abdomen, yellowish-white ; irides,
brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, about five
inches. The female is brown in the upper part, streaked
with darker brown; rump, brown, tinged with red; the
throat shows black mottlings.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
25
Ibebgc accentor-
The Hedge Accentor (yAcceiitor modularise Linnaeus) is a
very generally distributed resident in the British Isles. It
is also a resident species throughout most portions of
Europe, and is met with in Scandinavia as far as the limits
of forest growth. The adult male has the top of the head
and nape greyish-brown, streaked with brown ; sides of the
neck, throat, and breast, bluish-grey; back and scapulars,
blackish, with broad margins of reddish-brown ; primaries,
dark brown, edged and tipped with a lighter shade of
brown ; tail, dull brown, margined with paler ; rump,
yellowish ; chin, whitish-grey ; centre of belly, greyish-
white ; flanks, pale brown, streaked with darker brown :.
irides, hazel; bill, legs, and feet, pale brown. Length,
about five inches. The female closely resembles the male.
126 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
aipine accentor.
The Alpine Accentor {Accentor alpinus^ Gmelin), which is
a rare straggler during autumn to the British Isles, is a
resident in the mountain ranges of Southern Europe. The
adult male has the upper parts dark brown, edged with
light brown ; head and neck, grey, with darker streaks ;
wings and tail, blackish-brown, margined with chestnut-
brown, and tipped with white; wing-coverts, prominently
tipped with white ; throat, white, with black spots ; breast
and under tail-coverts, dullish grey ; flanks, variegated with
chestnut and light huffish ; irides, brown ; bill, blackish-
brown ; base below, yellow ; legs and feet, warm brown.
Length, about seven inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 127
Bippcn
^ -^ Z}:>o/vc/tv
The Dipper {Cindiis aqiiaticus, Bechstein) is a resident in
the British Islands. It is also found, subject to some
slight modification of colour, in many of the moun-
tain regions of Central Europe. The adult has the
head and back of neck umber-brown ; remainder of upper
parts, dark slaty-grey, with paler margins to feathers on
the back; throat, sides of neck, and upper breast, white;
lower part of breast and abdomen, chestnut-brown, shading
into brownish-black towards the vent; under tail-coverts,
blackish, tinged with grey ; flanks, greyish ; irides, brown ;
bill, black; legs and feet, brown. Length, from six to
seven inches. The female is similar in colour to the male.
The young arc greyish-brown on upper parts, and chestnut-
brown on under parts absent.
128
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
3Black:^benicb Dipper.
' ■'/' JohaI UuNCA!/.
The Black -bellied Dipper {Cinchis aquaticus inelanogaster,
Brehm) is a rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British
Islands ; it also occurs in Scandinavia, Northern Germany,
and Northern Russia. The adult male is similar in coloura-
tion to the common dipper, Cinclus aquaticus, with the
exception that the breast is black or nearly black, and not
chestnut-brown as in the latter bird. Indeed, the black-
bellied dipper is considered merely a form of the common
dipper.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
129
Common Mrcn.
The Common Wren {^Troglodytes parvulus^ Koch) is a
widely and generally distributed resident species in the
British Islands. It is also a common resident in most
parts of temperate Europe, and occurs in Northern Africa
and Western Asia. The adult has the general colour
above, dark reddish-brown, barred with dark brown; eye-
stripe, whitish; rump, rufous-brown; wings and tail, rufous-
brown; under parts, buffish-white; abdomen and flanks,
tinged with brownish, and transversely barred with brown ;
irides, brown; bill, brown; legs and feet, pale brown.
Length, about four inches. The female resembles the
male. The young are similar in ground colour to the
female, but the plumage is less barred.
I30
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
St Ikilba Mrcn.
JofiAf Ui/r/CA.V^,
The St. Kilda Wren {Troglodytes hirtensis^ Seebohm) is
a resident species on the islands of St. Kilda, Scotland.
To Mr. Charles Dixon, the well-known naturalist, is due
the honour of having brought from St. Kilda the speci-
mens originally described by the late Henry Seebohm.
The adult male closely resembles the common wren, but is
superior in size, and the feet are much stronger and larger.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
131
Spottc5 3fl^catcber.
The Spotted Flycatcher {Musicapa grisola, Linnceus) is a
late summer migrant to the British Islands. It is found
nesting almost everywhere in Europe, and winters in Africa.
The adult male in breeding plumage has the upper parts
of the body pale hair-brown, the crown of the head having
darker centres to the feathers ; wings and tail, darker brown ;
throat and centre of abdomen, white ; sides of neck, breast,
and flanks, streaked with hair-brown ; irides, brown ; bill,
dark brown; legs and feet, black. Length, about five
inches. The female is similar to the male. The youni;
have the feathers of the upper parts marked in centre with
buff.
132
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IPicb 3fl^catcbei\
The Pied Flycatcher {Musica_pa atricapilla, Linnaeus) is a
spring visitor to the British Islands. It is found breeding
in Europe south of the Arctic Circle, and spends the winter
in Central Africa. The adult male in summer has the head
and upper parts of body black; rump, greyish; forehead,
sides of neck, and under parts, pure white; wings, brown;
innermost secondaries, edged broadly with white; central
coverts, white; tail, blackish; outermost feathers, partially
white; irides, brown; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length,
about five inches. The female is much more dingy in
colouration than the male. The young in nestling plumage
are spotted on the upper parts with buff; under parts,
spotted irregularly with blackish-brown.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
133
1ReC)::*brea0tet) ]fl^catcber.
The Red-breasted Flycatcher {Musicapa parva, Bechstein)
is an occasional autumn migrant to the British Isles,
occurring also in both Central and South-Eastern Europe,
and as far to the east as India, wintering in Northern
Africa. The adult male in summer has the general coloura-
tion of the upper parts of plumage olive- brown; crown,
nape, and cheeks, bluish-grey, paler on latter; two middle
tail-feathers, blackish-brown; base of outer ones, white;
terminal end, broadly tipped with blackish-brown; throat
and breast, deep orange with a reddish tinge and fringed with
greyish; remainder of under parts, white, washed on flanks
and under tail-coverts with creamy-buff; irides, hazel; bill,
brown, lighter at base; legs and feet, brown. Length, from
four to five inches. The female in general resembles the
male, but the throat is buff.
134 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Barn Swallow.
The Barn Swallow {IJiru?ido rustica, Linnaeus) is a well-
known summer visitant to the British Isles. It is also a
common visitor to Europe during summer, and passes the
winter in Ethiopia and India. The adult male has the fore-
head and throat rich chestnut; sides of neck, back, wings,
and a broad band across breast, deep blue, with purplish
reflections; wings and tail, brown, outer webs glossed with
bluish-green; all tail-feathers, with the exception of centre
ones, have a mesial spot of white; abdomen, light buff;
under tail-coverts, pale chestnut; irides, brown; bill, legs,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
135
and feet, black. Length, about seven inches. The female
shows less chestnut on the forehead, and the two outer tail-
feathers are shorter than in the male.
Ibouse flDartin.
The House Martin {Chelidon urbica^ Linnivjus) is a summer
migrant to the British Isles. It nests throughout most
parts of Europe and Northern Africa, and is found in
winter south of Abyssinia. The adult has the head, neck,
and back bright glossy bluish - black ; rump, white; wings
and tail, dullish black; under parts, white; irides, dark
hazel; bill, black; legs and feet covered witli white feathers.
136
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Length, about five inches. The female closely resembles
the male in colouration. The young are sooty-brown on
the upper parts ; rump and under parts, dullish white.
SanJ) fIDartin.
.-;r:3^^^?i^;;^«?^r-^
The Sand Martin {Cotyle riparia^ Linnseus) is a spring
visitant to the British Islands. It is also a visitor to every
part of the Palearctic and Nearctic Regions ; and is found
during winter in India, Africa, and South America. The
adult male has the upper parts, cheeks, and a band across
chest, hair-brown ; primaries and tail-feathers, darker brown ;
throat and abdomen, whitish; flanks, brownish; irides, hazel;
bill, black ; legs and feet, dark brown. Length, about five
inches. The female is the same in plumage as the male.
The young have the feathers above tipped with whitish;
under parts, washed with buff.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 137
purple flDartiit
The Purple Martin {Progne purpurea, Linnceus) is a rare
abnormal autumn migrant to the British Isles, and a
summer visitant to the United States and Canada, moving
northwards above the Arctic Circle. It spends the winter
in Mexico, and is said to have been met with in the Ber-
mudas. The adult male has the general colouration of the
plumage steel-blue, with purple reflections ; wings and tail,
black, tinged with blue ; irides, brown ; bill, black ; legs and
feet, brown. The female closely resembles the male, but
the colouration is duller, and the under parts are of a
greyish-brown. Tlie young birds are described as being
similar to the adult females.
138
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Mri?nccR,
^ UNCA A/ -" ^^^2^^
The Wryneck ( Yimx torquilla^ Linnaeus) is a spring visitor
to the British Isles ; it is also found inhabiting the Pale-
arctic Region, with the exception of the extreme north,
wintering in Northern Africa, India, and China. The adult
has the ground colour above, yellowish-grey, beautifully
mottled and vermiculated with blackish-brown ; wings,
brown, having dull chestnut bars on the outer webs ; under
parts, buff, with a dark brown subterminal spot or bar on
each feather; tail, ashy-brown, vermiculated and barred
with black; irides, pale brown; bill, legs, and feet, brown.
Length, between six and seven inches. The female is
similar to the male. The young are duller above, and
conspicuously marked underneath with black.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
139
6vccn Moobpcckcr
The Green ^^'oodpecker {Gecijius viridis, Linnceus) is a
resident species in the British Islands, and also met with
in the Western Palearctic Region ; northwards to South
Scandinavia, and ranging southwards to the Mediterranean
and the Pyrenees. The adult male has the crown of the
head and nape scarlet, with grey bases ; lores, cheeks, ear-
coverts, and feathers round eye, black ; moustachial band,
black, washed with crimson ; mantle, dull light green ;
rump, yellow; wings and tail, dark greenish-brown, the
latter obscurely barred with darker; primaries, dusky,
barred on outer web with white ; under parts, yellowish-
grey, tinged with greyish-green ; irides, whitish ; bill, dark
grey, blackish at tip and paler at base beneath ; legs and
feet, dark grey. Length, between eleven and twelve inches.
The female shows no scarlet on the moustacliial lines.
I40 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
%CBBCV Spotteb Moobpccl^en
J:>Uf^CfiH
The Eesser Spotted Woodpecker {Ficus niiiior^ Linnaeus) is
a resident species in the British! Islands; it is also a
resident in most parts of the Western Palearctic Region,
but is said not to occur in Egypt, Palestine, Iceland, or the
Faroes. The adult male has the upper parts black, with
broad bars of white ; central tail-feathers, black, remainder,
black, with white bars; forehead, buff; crown, crimson;
eye-streak, occiput, and nape, black ; moustache, black ;
cheeks and sides of face, white ; chin, throat, and breast,
dull white, tinged with brown on sides ; flanks, streaked
with black ; irides, reddish-brown ; bill, legs, and feet, dark
grey. Length, about five inches. The female shows no
red on the crown. The young are similar to adults, but the
markings are not so distinct.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 141
(Brcat Spottct) MooDpcclKr
The Great Spotted Woodpecker {Ficus iiiajor^ Linnaeus)
is a resident in the British Isles, and is also pretty gener-
ally distributed throughout the whole of the European
Continent. The adult male has the general plumage of
the upper parts black ; foreliead, white ; cheeks and ear-
coverts also white ; nape, crimson ; a broad black band
runs from base of bill to nape; another band of black
traverses sides of chest ; scapulars, white ; primaries and
secondaries, barred exteriorly with white ; on each side of
the back part of the neck is a white patch ; throat, breast,
and abdomen, whitish ; vent and under tail-coverts,
crimson ; rump and central tail-feathers, black ; outer
ones with alternate bars of black and white ; irides, pale
red; bill, legs, and feet, slaty-black. Length, about nine
inches. The female shows no red on the head.
142 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Cx\c\{oo.
The Cuckoo (yCumhis canorns^ Linnaeus) is a well-known
spring migrant to the British Isles. It is also a summer
visitor to Europe, as well as most portions of Asia. In
the autumn it migrates to Central Africa and Southern
India. The adult male has the head, neck behind, nape
and back, dark ash colour; wing-coverts, darker ash colour;
primaries, dusky, with oval white spots on the inner webs ;
tail, blackish, with some of the webs spotted with white,
and all the tail-feathers tipped with white; throat and
upper breast, pale ash colour ; under parts, dullish white,
with transverse black bars; irides and feet, yellow; bill,
dusky; base beneath, yellowish. Length, about thirteen
inches. The female is similar to male. The young
on upper parts are warm brown with darker transverse
markings.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
143
(Sreat Spotteb Cuckoo.
The Great Spotted Cuckoo {CoccysfesgIandan'ifs,\Anv\?QVLs) is
a very rare straggling spring and autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and is also found inhabiting South-West Europe and
North Africa. The adult male has the upper parts greyish-
brown, most of the feathers being tipped with white ; crest
and crown, grey ; sides of face, dark grey ; tail-feathers,
blackish-brown, with white tips to all but the central ones ;
neck, creamy-white ; under parts, dullish white ; irides,
brown ; bill, dark brown ; base beneath, yellowish ; legs
and feet, slate-grey. Length, from sixteen to seventeen
inches. The adult female has a smaller crest, and the
ground colour of the primaries is rufous. The young are
similar to the adult females, but show little crest ; and the
under parts are washed with chestnut.
144 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
The Black-billed Cuckoo [Coccyzus erythrophthalmus^
Wilson) is an exceedingly rare abnormal autumn migrant
to the British Isles. It is a North American species,
ranging from Canada to Brazil. In winter it migrates from
the northern portions of Canada. This cuckoo can be dis-
tinguished from Coccyziis Americanus^ being slightly less in
size, and showing very little chestnut on the quills. The
bill is nearly black ; the orbits, dull scarlet ; and the white
tips at the end of the tail are much less conspicuous.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
145
15cUow^t)illc& Cucftoo<
JJutiCAN-
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo {Coccyzits Anicricanus, Linnaeus)
is a very rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British
Islands. It inhabits America, from (Canada south to
Brazil, and in winter migrates from the northern portions.
The general colouration of the upper [larts is huffish-brown,
glossed with greenish ; two central tail-feathers, buffish-
hrown ; remainder, nearly black, tipped broadly with white ;
quills, tinged with pale yellowish-chestnut; under parts.
146
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
white; orbits, whitish; irides, dark brown; upper mandible,
blackish, with a yellow base ; under mandible, yellow, with
a nearly black tip ; legs and feet, grey.
Common Swift.
The Common Swift {Cypselus apus, Linnaeus) is a late
summer migrant to the British Isles, and is also a visitor
in summer to most parts of the Palearctic Region. It
spends the winter in Africa. The adult has the general
colour of the upper parts of plumage blackish-brown, with
bronze-like reflections ; chin and throat, duUish white ;
under parts, blackish-brown ; irides, dark brown ; bill and
feet, black; tarsi, covered with small feathers. Length,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
147
about eight inches. The female is same in colour as the
male. The young are browner, and dullish white on the
chin and throat.
Mbite*bclUe^ Swift,
The White-bellied Swift {Cy/>selus mclba^ Linnceus) is a rare
spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles. In summer
it visits Central and Southern Europe, also Northern
Africa, spending the winter in Africa. The adult has the
upper parts greyish-brown ; forehead, paler, with a blackish
patch in front of the eye; throat and abdomen, white; under
tail-coverts, greyish-brown; irides, nearly black; bill and
feet, black. Length, about eight inches. The young are
similar to the adults, but have whitish margins to most of
the upper feathers.
148
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRceMCs^tailct) Swift.
The Needle-tailed Swift {Chcetura caudacufa, Latham) is an
exceedingly rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and is found inhabiting Eastern Siberia, China, and
the Himalayas. It occurs during winter in Australia.
The forehead of the adult is dull white ; crown, nape,
back, and sides of head, dusky black; wing-coverts and
secondaries, bottle-green ; inner webs of inner secondaries,
mostly white ; quills, blackish ; tail-feathers, bottle-green,
with projecting spinous shafts; throat, breast, and under
tail-coverts, white ; abdomen, sooty brown ; flanks, white,
marked with glossy blue-black ; bill, black ; legs and feet,
dark brown. Length, about eight inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 149
Contmou migbtjar
>,.. . .^^'ii'^f^t/....<.\.\
*)r^Sr^f/nKUnS\S
The Common Nightjar ^Caprimulgiis Eiiropceus^ Linnaeus)
is another of our latest summer visitors to the British Isles.
It is also found during summer in the Western Palearctic
Region, and in winter goes to Africa and India. The
adult male has the general colouration of the plumage of an
ashy-grey, spotted and streaked with dark brown, yellowish-
brown, and reddish-buff; wings, dark brown, tinged slightly
with chestnut, and showing three bars of yellowish-brown ;
the primaries have a large white patch near the centre of
the three first quill feathers of each wing; tail, marked with
zigzag bars of black, yellowish-brown, and grey ; two outer
rectrices on each side, tipped with white ; on each side of
the throat is a white spot; under parts, light orange-buff,
barred with dusky ; irides and bill, black ; legs and feet,
brownish-red. Length, ten inches. The female is duller;
white spots on the tail and wings very indistinct.
I50 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
The Red-necked Nightjar {Caprimnlgus ruficolHs^ Linnaeus)
is an exceptionally rare migrant to the British Isles. It is
also met with in South-West Europe and North-West Africa.
This nightjar bears a strong resemblance to the common
nightjar, but it can be distinguished from the latter by the
colour of the nape, which is reddish-buff. The white spots
on the neck, too, are larger, and have more creamy colour
on the wing-coverts and under parts.
EQ^ptian IRigbtjan
The Egyptian Nightjar {Caprimulgus yEgyptms, Lichten-
stein) is a very rare abnormal spring migrant to the British
Islands. In summer it is found in Turkestan, Baluchistan,
Egypt, and Nubia; and is supposed to winter farther south.
The ground colour of the whole of the adult's plumage is
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
151
isabelline, or sandy-grey, dusted and otherwise marked
with white, grey, and brown. The general colouration is
much lighter than that of Caprimulgus Eiiropceus. Length,
about ten inches.
SSecs^eater.
;4::^?^-^>^^^^:;;;^^
The Bee-eater {Merops apiaster^ Linnaeus) is a rare
irregular spring and autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and is a visitor in summer to countries adjacent
to the Mediterranean, in winter migrating to Africa. The
adult has the top of the head, nape, back, and wing-
coverts, rich chestnut brown, changing into light greenish-
blue on upper tail-coverts ; tail, greenish or bluish ; two
centre pair of rectrices elongated and tipped with black ;
lores and auriculars, black ; chin and throat, deep yellow,
with a band of black underneath ; scapulars, whitish ;
secondaries, chestnut, with broad tips of black ; quills,
bluish-green, tipped with black ; under parts, blue, tinged
T52
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
with green ; irides, scarlet ; bill, black ; legs and feet,
reddish-brown. Length, about ten inches. The adult
female is duller in colour than the male. The young have
the throat band indistinct, and the central tail-feathers
hardly project.
iRoUcr.
XJo/VC/f'*
The Roller {Coracias garriilus, Linnaeus) is a rare irregular
spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles, and a
visitant in summer to the temperate portions of Europe,
migrating into Africa in autumn. The adult male has
the back and scapulars reddish-brown; head and nape,
greenish-blue; rump, blue; upper tail-coverts, greenish-
blue; tail, light greenish-blue, the outer rectrices with black
tips; middle feathers, darker; primaries, black, glossed with
blue; upper wing-coverts, rich blue; chin, white; remainder
of under parts, pale blue; irides, brown; bill, black; legs
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
153
and feet, warm brown. Length, about twelve inches. The
adult female resembles the male. The young are more
dingy in colour than the adults.
Iboopoe.
i^^::^,.^^^
The Hoopoe {Upiipa epops^ Linnaeus), which is a visitor in
summer to the British Isles and to most of the temperate
portions of the Palearctic Region, passes the winter in
C.'entral Africa and India. The adult male has the general
tint of the plumage pale reddish-buff; crest feathers, richer
in tint, and tipped with black; rump, white; tail, black,
having a broad white band in the centre; wings, black with
white bars; abdomen and under tail-coverts, white with
dark brown stripes on flanks; iridcs, light brown; bill,
which is slightly decurved, black; base of lower mandible,
flesh-coloured; legs, feet, and claws, dark brown. Length,
154 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
about twelve inches The female is like the male, but the
colours are not quite so bright. The young resemble the
adults, but the bill is considerably shorter, and the under
parts are paler in colour.
Common Ikingfieber
The Common Kingfisher {Akedo ispida^ Linn^us) is a
resident species in the British Islands, and is also found
throughout the year in the temperate parts of the Western
Palearctic Region. The adult male has the top of the head
black, closely barred or spotted with bright cobalt -blue,
tinged with greenish; centre of back, azure-blue; tail, deep
blue; moustachial line, greenish-blue, marked with cobalt-
blue, yellowish; lores and ear-coverts, chestnut; wing-
coverts, dark green, with spots of cobalt; outer webs of
primaries, deep blue; throat, white; under parts, yellowish-
chestnut; irides, dark brown; bill, black, base, reddish;
legs and feet, red. Length, from five to six inches. The
adult female is duller in plumage than the male; bill, orange
at base beneath.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
155
SSelteb Ikingfiebcr
John DiH^CrM/
The Belted Kingfisher {Ceryle akyofi^ Linnaeus) is a very
rare irregular autumn migrant to the British Islands. This
bird hails from North America, and is partially migratory
during winter.
The general colour of the male above is
slaty-blue ; shaft of each feather, blackish ; the head is
furnished with a crest ; a white spot before the eye, and
a streak of the same beneath it ; quills, basal half, white ;
secondaries and wing-coverts, tipped with white ; two
centre tail-feathers, bluish ; remainder, brownish-black,
barred with white ; a broad collar of white reaches from
the throat over the sides of the neck ; chest band, slaty-
blue; under parts, white; irides, dark brown; bill, black;
legs and feet, brownish. Length, about twelve inches.
156
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
ffiarn ®wL
T,.p/^y(Wfj^Mi^'^^^^^^
The Barn Owl (A/uco flammeus, Linnaeus) is a resident
in the British Isles and in most parts of Europe, but does
not occur in Norway, the north of Sweden, Russia, or on
the north-eastern shores of the Mediterranean. The adult
is buffish-orange above, spotted longitudinally with dark
brown and faint grey and white pencillings ; discs of face,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
157
white, edged with reddish ; breast, huffish, with faint dusky
spots on flanks ; tail, buff, with four or five darkish
grey bars ; tips of tail-feathers, white ; irides, blackish ;
bill, pale straw colour ; claws, dark grey ; legs, feathered.
Length, from twelve to thirteen inches. The female has
the same colouration as the male, but is slightly larger.
Moo^ ®wi.
The Wood Owl {S/r/.x aluco^ Gcrini) is another of our
resident owls, but is not so plentiful as formerly; it is also
a resident in the Western Palearctic Region. The adult
has the upper parts reddish-brown, vermiculated and
i=;8 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
spotted with blackish and dark brown ; outer webs of
wing-coverts have large subterminal white spots ; facial
disc and forehead, dark brown ; under parts, buffish-white,
streaked with dusky-brown and barred with brown ; irides,
black ; bill, straw colour ; legs and feet, feathered. Length,
about fifteen inches. The female only differs in being
larger. The young are usually more rufous than the
adults. This owl is also subject to much variation in
tint of plumage.
Short-eared Owl.
The Short-eared Owl {Asio brachyoiiis^ Forster) is a regular
autumn and winter visitor to the British Isles, and a few
breed with us in various parts. It is also found in most parts
of the Palearctic Region, as well as in the Nearctic Region.
The adult has the general colour dark rich buff; wings and
tail, barred transversely with dark brown ; ear-tufts, short ;
ring round face, blackish ; upper parts streaked and patched
with dark brown ; under parts, buffish-white, streaked longi-
tudinally on breast and flanks with dusky-brown ; irides,
yellow ; bill and claws, blackish ; legs and feet, feathered.
Length, from fourteen to fifteen inches. The female re-
sembles the male, but is a trifle larger. (P. 159.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
159
Sbort*=carcb ®wl
JchN VuNCA/V.
i6o
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Xono^eareb ®wL
The Long-eared Owl {Asio olus, Linnaeus) is a resident in
the British Isles, also in most parts of the Western Pale-
arctic Region, as well as in Central Asia. The adult has the
general colour of the upper parts yellowish-buff, vermiculated
and mottled with various tints of brown; ear-tufts, con-
spicuously long, marked in centre with black, and margined
with buff; ring encircling eyes, blackish ; throat, breast,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. i6i
and flanks, striped with brown ; stripes on flanks, narrower ;
wings and tail, barred with brown ; irides, rich yellow ; bill,
black ; legs and feet, covered with huffish coloured downy
feathers. Length, about fourteen inches. The female
differs only in being larger and a little more rufous in
colour. The young are similar to the adults.
Teng malm's Owl.
Tengmalm's Owl {Nyciala Tengmalmi, Gmelin) is a rare
autumn migrant to the British Isles. It is a resident
in the northern parts of the Palearctic Region, and is also
met with in Central Europe, The adult has the upper
parts brown, more or less spotted with white ; the spots
on the top of the head are small, those on the wing-
coverts and back are larger ; tail-feathers, barred with white ;
under parts, white, washed with pale buff and greyish, and
marked with irregular bars and streaks of dark brown ;
irides, vivid yellow ; bill, straw colour ; feet, covered with
whitish feathers. Length, about nine inches. The female
is a little larger than the male. (P. 162.)
i62 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
vlencjmalnVs ©wL
'JoHtJ JluNCAri:
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Xlttle ®wl
163
JOH/V 2Ju/v CA/V.'^
The Little Owl (^Athene ?iociiia, Scopoli) is a rare abnormal
migrant to the British Islands, and is; a resident in Europe
south of Scandinavia. The adult has the upper parts of
the plumage greyish-brown ; back and wings, spotted with
white ; head, striped with white ; tail, barred with white
and tinged with rusty ; under parts, white, with broad
streaks of brown ; irides, yellow ; bill, yellowish ; the toes
have a covering of hairy bristles. Length, about eight
inches. The female is a trifle larger than the male. The
plumage of the young is of a warmer hue than that of the
adults.
i64 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
John Duncan.
The Snowy Owl {Nyciea nydea, Linnaeus) is a regular,
though uncertain, autumn migrant to the British Islands.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 165
It is a resident in the extreme north of the Palearctic and
also Nearctic Regions, and in winter is met with farther
south. The adult male has the whole of the plumage
white, with a few spots of dark brown here and there on
the upper parts ; irides, rich yellow ; legs and feet, clothed
with long white feathers. Length, from nineteen to twenty-
four inches.
Hawk Owl.
The Hawk Owl {Surfiia funerea, Linnaeus) is an exceed-
ingly rare wandering winter migrant to the British Islands.
It inhabits the Northern Nearctic Region, and in winter
moves southward to the northern portion of the United
States. The adult has the general colouration of the upper
plumage blackish-brown, blotched, mottled, and barred with
dullish white; under parts, white, with bars of reddish-
brown ; tail, graduated, and marked with narrow bars of
white, and broadly tipped with white ; irides, pale yellow ;
bill, straw colour ; legs and feet, covered with whitish
feathers. Length, from fifteen to sixteen inches. The
female is larger than the male. (P. 166.)
1 66
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Ibawft ®wl.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 167
Scope ®\\)L
Jo HA/ Uu/^CA/V, I
i68 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(See preceding page.)
The Scops Owl {Scops scops, Linnaeus) is a rare straggler
in spring and autumn to the British Isles, and is found
inhabiting the temperate parts of Europe, Western Asia,
and Northern Africa. The adult is greyish above, each
feather having a dark centre and vermiculated with different
tints of brown ; tail-feathers have bars of light and dark
brown ; ear-tufts, pretty well developed ; under parts, grey,
suffused with rich buff, streaked and finely vermiculated
with brown ; irides, orange-yellow ; bill, black ; feet, not
feathered. Length, about seven inches. The female
resembles the male. The young show more rufous than
the adults.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
69
lEaolc ®wL
lyo BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
( See preceding page.)
The Eagle Owl {Bubo maxunus, Gerini) is a rare nomadic
winter migrant to the British Islands, and is a resident in
most portions of the Palearctic Region. The adult has the
upper surface barred, streaked, and waved with black on
a brown and yellow ground ; ear-tufts, large ; throat, white ;
under parts, yellowish-buff, with longitudinal streaks of
black on the chest, and fine transverse bars below ; irides,
rich orange ; beak, black ; legs, feathered. Length of male,
about twenty-four inches. Length of the female, about
twenty-eight inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 171
(Bnffon Dulture^
^. ■
V\^V
172 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(See p7 cceding page. )
The Griffon Vulture {Gyps fulvus, Brisson) is a very rare
irregular migrant to the British Isles. It is a resident in
Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and in portions of
Central Asia ; besides being met with casually in Northern
Europe. The adult has the general colouration of the
plumage buffish-brown ; wings and tail, blackish-brown ;
some of the wing-coverts with dark centres ; under part,
reddish-brown washed with yellow ; head and neck, covered
with white down ; ruff round neck, w^hite ; irides, deep
orange ; bill, light brown ; legs and feet, lead colour.
Length, from forty-two to forty-eight inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 173
leg^ptian IDulture.
''" John J1unca/\/.
The Egyptian Vulture {Neophron percnopkrus, Einiicxus)
is a very rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British Isles,
and is found inhabiting European countries which border
on the Mediterranean, as well as Africa and South-Western
174 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Asia. In Northern Europe it is only of rare occurrence.
The adult is, above and below, chiefly white, tinged with
pale yellowish buff; secondaries, brownish; quills, black;
the portion of the head and neck which is bare of feathers
is of a yellowish tinge ; irides, deep red ; bill, dark brown ;
legs and feet, flesh tint. Length, from twenty-five to twenty-
seven inches.
White Jer-Falcon.
The \Vhite Jer-Falcon {Hierofalco candicans^ Gmelin), also
called the Greenland Falcon, is a rare nomadic winter
migrant to the British Isles. It is supposed to be a
resident throughout most of the Circumpolar Region,
and is casually met with farther south. The adult has
the whole of the ground colour of the plumage white;
feathers on back and wing -coverts have bold spots of
blackish-brown ; quills have subterminal bars of black ;
tail has a few dark bars in places ; under parts, spotted
here and there with blackish-brown; irides, hazel; bill,
bluish near the tip, otherwise yellowish ; legs and feet,
light yellow. Length, from nineteen to twenty-one inches.
<P- I75-)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
7d
Ml)ite 3eiv3falcon.
176
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
3cclan& 3er*falcon.
John UuNCAhL
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 177
The Iceland Jer-Falcon {Hierofalco islandiis^ Gmelin), also
called the Iceland Falcon, is a rare irregular winter migrant
to the British Islands, and is a resident in Iceland, and has
been noticed in portions of Greenland. The adult has the
prevaiHng colour of the upper plumage of a creamy tint,
washed with slaty-grey, and with borders and bars of a
whitish colour; head, white, with thin blackish streaks:
rectrices, grey, with bars of a darker tint ; under parts,
whitish, spotted longitudinally on breast, and barred on
flanks with blackish ; irides, dark brown ; bill, dusky horn
colour ; base beneath, yellowish ; legs and feet, bluish.
Length, from twenty-one to twenty-two inches.
ScanMnavian 3cr^3falcoiv
The Scandinavian Jer-Falcon {Hicrofa/co gyrfalco, Lin-
nceus) is a rare nomadic winter migrant to the British Isles.
It inhabits Arctic Scandinavia. This species is closely
allied to the Iceland falcon, but is darker in colouration
and smaller in size.
178
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
percorine Jfalcon.
The Peregrine Falcon {^Falco peregrinus, Gerini) is a resi-
dent species in the British Islands ; it is also met with in
most parts of the Palearctic Region, but does not appear to
have occurred in Iceland. The adult male has the crown,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
T79
cheeks, and moustachial region, blackish ; upper parts,
bluish-grey ; paler on rump, and barred with greyish-black ;
primaries, blackish, with a greyish-tinge ; feathers of tail,
blackish, with broad bars of bluish-grey; throat, white,
tinged with buff; breast and sides of body, crossed with
broad bars of dusky; irides, brown; bill, bluish, darker
towards the tip ; cere, legs, and feet, yellow. Length, from
sixteen to nineteen inches.
Ibobb^.
Jofi/V Du/vc/\N
Thk Hobby {Fa/co subbuteo^ Linnaeus) is a regular visitor
during summer to the Ikitish Islands, and breeds through-
out most parts of the Palearctic Region, spending the
i8o BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
winter in Africa and India. The adult male has the
upper parts greyish-black, with paler margins; primaries,
blackish; rump and tail-feathers, greyish, tinged with black;
throat and sides of neck, white ; moustachial-like streak,
black ; below, yellowish-white, with bold streaks of black ;
thighs and vent, rich yellowish-chestnut ; irides, brown ;
bill, lead colour ; cere, legs, and feet, yellow. Length,
about twelve inches. The female in colouration is similar
to the male, but is a little larger in size. The young have
the feathers above, brown, margined with buff.
Orange-legged Hobby.
The Orange-legged Hobby {Falco vespertinus^ Linnaeus) is
a rare irregular spring and autumn migrant to the British
Islands. It is found nesting in Central Europe and Western
Asia, migrating to Africa in winter. The adult male has
the principal portion of the plumage slate-grey; thighs,
vent, and under tail-coverts, bright chestnut; irides, hazel-
brown ; bare space round eyes, orange-red ; cere, orange-
red ; tip of bill, dark horn colour, orange at base ; legs and
feet, orange-red. Length, from ten to eleven inches. The
adult female, which is larger than the male, has the wing-
coverts, mantle, and tail ashy-grey, the two latter having
blackish bars; head, nape, and under parts, rufous. The
young resemble the female, but the throat is white, and
under parts are streaked with brown. (P. i8i.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
®range**lc00eb 1bobb?-
l82
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
fIDerlin.
John Bua/ca/^.
The Merlin {I^a/co cesalon^ Brisson) is a breeding species in
the British Isles, but is said to be partially migratory in the
winter ; it also occurs in the Northern Palearctic Region.
The adult male has the general colour of the upper parts
slaty-blue ; shafts of feathers, black ; nape, rufous, streaked
with dark brown ; primaries, blackish, with white bars on
inner webs ; tail, bluish-grey, with a broad black subterminal
band, and white tips ; throat, white ; under parts, rufous,
striped with dark brown ; irides, brown ; bill, bluish, tip
darker; cere, legs, and feet, yellow. Length, from ten to
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
183
eleven inches. The female, which is larger than the male,
is deep brown above ; under parts, whitish, streaked with
brown ; feathers of tail, brown, crossed with bars of deeper
brown and tipped with white.
Ikeatrcl
^"'" JOH'\/ Du/VCM/V
The Kestrel {Falco iitiniuicnlus^ Linnaeus) is a resident
species in the Britisli Isles, but is partially migratory in
winter, and is also found throughout the Palearctic Region
(with the exception of the extreme north), also in Africa
1 84 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
and British India. The adult male has the back light
chestnut, with small spots of black ; head, neck, lower
back, and tail, bluish-grey, with a broad black band near
the terminal end, and tipped with white ; under parts, buff,
spotted and streaked with black ; irides, brown ; bill, bluish,
yellowish at the base ; legs and feet, yellow. Length, from
ten to thirteen inches. The female is the larger.
Lesser Kestrel.
The Lesser Kestrel {Faico ceiichris, Naumann) is an ex-
ceedingly rare spring and autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and is found in summer on the northern shores of
the Mediterranean, and to the east into Persia. It is only
a straggler to Northern Europe. The adult male in coloura-
tion closely resembles Falco tinnunculus^ but is smaller in
size, and the back has no black spots, the innermost second-
aries being greyish instead of rufous ; irides, dark hazel ;
cere, yellow; bill, bluish-black at tip, yellowish at base;
legs and feet, yellow ; claws, generally white. Length, from
about eleven to twelve inches. The adult female is similar
to the adult female of the common kestrel, but is smaller
in size, and the claws, as a rule, are white. (P. 185.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
85
Xcaeer IkcetrcL
JoHtJ IJun^f*\
i86 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
6ol&cn Eagle,
\ - JotiNUuNCM
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 187
The Golden Eagle {Aqiiila chrysaetus, Linnaeus) is a com-
paratively scarce resident in the British Islands, and a
wanderer during the non-breeding season. It is also found
in most parts of the Palearctic and Nearctic Regions. The
adult has the crown and nape rich tawny; back, dark
brown; tail, brown, tinged with greyish, and barred ob-
scurely with dusky-brown on basal half; tips, darker ;
primaries, blackish -brown ; under parts, brown; thighs,
dark brown ; irides, bright hazel ; bill, dark horn colour,
base paler ; cere and feet, yellow ; legs feathered to the
toes. Length, from thirty-one to thirty-six inches. The
female is larger than the male, but similar in colour.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Spottcb Eagle.
Jo^N IJuAJCft/^
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
The Spotted Eagle {Aqiiila nc€via^ Meyer) is a very rare
abnormal winter migrant to the British Isles, but is a
resident in Pomerania, moving southward through Russia,
and during migration is met with in Egypt and Northern
Africa. The adult has the general colouration dark brown;
feathers on rump, marked with light brown and whitish;
tail, dark brown, with tips of light brown; primaries, dark
brown; head and nape feathers, margined with light brown;
feathers of under tail-coverts, pale ochreous; irides, light
hazel-brown; bill, dark horn colour; tarsus, feathered; cere
and feet, yellow. Length, from twenty-four to twenty-nine
inches. The female is larger than the male, but is other-
wise similar.
jgo BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Mbitc*taUc^ Eagle.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 191
The White-tailed Eagle (^Haliaelus albicilla, Brisson) is a
resident in the British Isles, but, like the Ciolden Eagle,
wanders about considerably during the non-breeding season.
It is also met with in the Palearctic Region, and in
South Greenland. The very old adult has the head and
neck ashy-white; upper parts, brown; quills, very dark
brown; tail, white; under parts, dark brown; irides, bill,
cere, and feet, yellow. Length of male, about twenty-eight
inches; female, about thirty-three or thirty-four inches.
The females resemble males. The young have the head
and tail dark brown.
192
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common 1k(tc»
John JJuAfCA A^
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 193
The Common Kite (Milvus j-egalis, Brissonj can only be
considered an accidental visitor to the British Isles, although
a few pairs, probably resident birds, are occasionally found
nesting in this country. It also occurs in most parts of
Europe, with the exception of the extreme north and east.
The adult male has the head and neck whitish, with streaks
of blackish-brown; remainder of upper parts, reddish-brown :
the feathers on mantle, streaked in centre with blackish;
primaries, blackish; tail, forked and rufous-coloured; under
parts, rufous, with blackish-brown stripes on breast; irides,
yellow; bill, horn colour; cere, legs, and feet, yellow.
Length, from twenty-four to twenty-six inches. The female
closely resembles the male in plumage, but is a little larger
in size.
13
194
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
36lacU Ikite*
John Duncan
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 195
The Black Kite {Milvus aier^ Gnielin) is an extremely
rare abnormal spring migrant to the British Islands, and
is found inhabiting Europe south of the Baltic, migrating
in winter to Africa. The adult male has the upper parts
of body and tail dark brown; head and neck, whitish,
streaked closely with dark brown ; primaries, blackish ;
under parts, rusty-brown, with streaks of dark brown ;
irides, light yellow ; bill, black ; cere, legs, and feet,
yellow. Length, from twenty-two to twenty-three inches.
196 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Swallow^tailet) Ikitc,
John Uu/vcaa/
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 197
The Swallow-tailed Kite {E/anoides furcatus, Linnaeus) is
a very rare irregular autumn migrant to the British Islands,
and is found inhabiting in summer both the tropical and
temperate portions of America. In winter it is migratory.
The adult has the head, neck, rump, and all the under
parts, white, tinged in parts with bluish-grey ; rest of
plumage, glossy black, with purple and blue reflections ;
irides, red ; cere, light blue. Length, about twenty-four
inches. The female is similar to the male, but is a trifle
larger in size.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Ibone? Bu33ar&.
John Duncan
■'(7 ^W>^
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 199
The Honey Buzzard {Fernis apivonis^ Linnaeus) is only
a summer visitor to the British Isles, and also is met with
in the Palearctic and Ethiopian Regions; in the extreme
north of Europe, however, it appears not to occur, and is
found on the Mediterranean shores only as a migrant. The
adult male has the upper parts brown ; tail with three or
four distinct blackish bars ; head, ashy-grey ; under parts,
white, blotched and barred with dark brown; irides, yellow;
bill, blackish ; cere and feet, yellow. Length, about twenty-
two inches. The female is browner on head and larger in
size than male. The young is whitish on head ; upper
feathers, with pale edges ; under parts, white with streaks
of brown.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common :i6u33ar&.
^^yjoHN^ BuNCA N.
%^<!^:ijl';,
■^^
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
The Common Buzzard {Buteo vulgaris, Leach) is generally
considered a resident species in the British Isles, but during
the non-nesting time it shifts about considerably. It is
also found throughout Europe, but does not occur in the
extreme North or in Western Asia. The adult has the
upper parts dark brown, margined with paler brown ; head,
pale brown, with dark brown markings : tail-feathers, pale
brown, or greyish-white, crossed by several dark brown bars;
quills, blackish ; chin, huffish and unspotted ; under parts,
huffish, spotted and mottled with brown ; irides, brown ;
bill, bluish-black ; cere and legs, yellow. Length, from
twenty to twenty-three inches.
202 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRougb^leggeb Bu33ar&.
JoH^/ UuA/CA^.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 203
The Rough-legged Buzzard {Archibuteo lagopus, Gmelin) is
an irregular autumn visitant to the British Isles ; it is also
found inhabiting the northern portions of Europe and Asia.
The adult has the general colouration of the plumage
buffish-white, varied with brown of different shades ; back
and rump, closely marked with brown ; primaries with basal
half, white, terminal half, dark brown ; tail-feathers, white,
barred with brown, and washed with greyish-brown towards
terminal end, and tipped with whitish ; under parts, yel-
lowish-white ; centre of abdomen, covered with a blackish-
brown patch ; irides, brown ; bill, blackish ; base, paler ;
cere and feet, yellow; legs feathered to the toes. Length,
from nineteen to twenty-three inches. The female is the
larger.
204 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(Bosbavvh-
The Goshawk {Astur palunibarius, Linnaeus) is only an
accidental visitor to the British Isles. Its range outside
the British Islands extends over the whole of the Palearclic
Region. The adult has the upper parts ashy-brown ; eye-
stripe, lores, and nape, greyish-white ; cheeks, dark brown ;
crown, dark ashy-brown ; wings and tail, greyish-brown,
the latter having four bars of darker brown ; under parts,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 205
whitish, closely spotted and barred with dark ashy-brown ;
irides, legs, and feet, yellow. Length, from nineteen to
twenty-three inches. The female is like the male, but larger.
Sparrow 1bawh.
Thk Sparrow Hawk {Accipiicr /lisus, I.iniuvus) is a resident
and a widely distributed species in the British Isles ; it is
also a resident throughout the whole of the Palearctic
Region. The adult male has the upper plumage of a dark
bluish slate-colour, with a small white patch on the nape ;
tail, greyish-brown, barred wilh brown ; under fparts, rufous,
barred wilh rufous of a darker shade : irides, orange ; beak»
2o6 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
bluish ; cere, legs, and feet, yellow. Length, about twelve
inches. The female, which usually measures about three
or four inches more than the male, has the upper parts of
plumage brown ; spot on nape, white ; under parts, white,
tinged with grey, and having bars of brown.
American Goshawk.
The American Goshawk {Astur atricapillus, Wilson) is an
exceedingly rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British
Islands, and inhabits the Northern Nearctic Region.
During winter it is partially migratory. The adult of this
species closely resembles that of Astur paliwibariiis^ but is
said to be darker on the head, and shows more grey on the
upper parts ; it is also finely freckled on the under parts,
and is not barred like the common goshawk. (P. 207.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
207
american Gosbawft.
2o8 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
flDontagu'6 Ibanicr^
JOH/S/ DuNCfi N/[
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 209
Montagu's Harrier {Circus cineraceiis, Montagu) is a mi-
gratory bird in the British Islands. It is also found
throughout most parts of Europe (with the exception of
the extreme north) and Western Asia, moving southward
in winter. The adult male has the upper parts slate-grey ;
primaries, black ; secondaries, barred with black ; upper
tail-coverts, white; inner web of outer tail-feathers, barred
with rufous and white ; chest, pale grey ; remainder of
under parts, white ; feathers on breast, streaked narrowly
with chestnut ; irides, yellow ; bill, black ; legs, feet, and
cere, yellow. Length, from seventeen to eighteen inches.
The female is usually brown on upper parts, and buftish-
white below, with streaks of rufous brown.
14
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Iben Ibarricr.
(W^^>^^^*^^^
Jo/iA/ DuNCA//
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 211
The Hen Harrier {Circus cyaneus, Linneeus) is for the most
part a summer visitor to the British Islands. It is also met
with throughout Europe, and most parts of Asia, and some
portions of Northern Africa. The adult male has the upper
parts light slate-grey; nape, marked with brown; rump,
white ; primaries, blackish ; inner webs of secondaries,
mostly white ; throat and chest, greyish ; abdomen, white ;
irides, cere, and legs, yellow; bill, bluish -black. Length,
about eighteen inches. The female is a trifle larger than
the male, and is brown above, with white streaks on nape ;
irides, brown; tail, brown, showing five darker-coloured
bars.
212
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
fIDareb Ibarner.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 213
The ]\Iarsh Harrier {Circus cerjigiftosus, Linnaeus) is said
to be a probable resident species in the British Islands.
Throughout most parts of Europe it is a resident, but does
not occur in the extreme north ; it is, however, met with
across Asia to Japan, and in many parts of Africa. The
adult male has the head and nape white, tinged with
yellowish, and with streaks of dark brown ; feathers of
back and scapulars, dark brown, the latter shaded ob-
scurely with lighter brown ; tail, light grey ; primaries,
blackish ; remainder of wings, light grey ; chin and throat,
white, tinged with buff; rest of under parts, brown, tinged
with rusty; lower part of chest has conspicuous marks of
dark brown ; irides, pale yellowish ; bill, bluish-slate ; cere,
legs, and feet, yellow. Length, from nineteen to twenty-
three inches.
2 14 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
®6prei?»
JohH Dunc/^n'.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 215
The Osprey i^Pandioii haliactus^ Linnaeus) is a summer
visitor to the British Islands, and is also met with in most
parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. In
South America it occurs as far south as Brazil. The adult
male has the head and nape white, with broad streaks of
brown ; remainder of upper parts, dark brown, tinged with
purplish : beneath, white, crossed on the chest with a broad
band of light brown ; irides, yellow ; bill, black ; cere, legs,
and toes, bluish. Length, from twenty-one to twenty-two
inches. The female is larger than the male, and has the
crest more streaked and the chest band more produced.
2i6 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Cormorant
t//9///\/ Uu/^CAU. J:
The Cormorant {Phalacrocorax cardo, Linnaeus) is a
resident species in the British Islands, and is also found
inhabiting most sea-coasts with the exception of those of
the Western Pacific. The adult in summer dress has the
back and wing-coverts dark greenish-brown, margined with
black ; primaries and tail, black, the latter having fourteen
feathers ; upper portion of head and neck, black ; feathers
of crown, elongated ; those on neck mixed with hair-like
feathers ; throat, white ; gular pouch, yellow ; under parts,
rich black, a white patch on the thigh (said to be assumed
very early in spring and lost in summer) ; irides, green ;
bill, brown ; legs and feet, black. Length, from thirty-four
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
217
to thirty-six inches. The female resembles male. The
young are dark brown above, with a bronze tinge ; under
parts, brownish-white, variegated with darker brown.
Sbag.
JoHf^ UmcA/v
Thp: Shag {Phahicrocorax gracuius, Linnxnis) is a resident
in the British Isles, but shifts locally about a great deal
during autumn and winter ; it is also an inhabitant of
Western Europe. The adult in summer has the general
colour rich dark green, wilii reflections of bronze and
purple; feathers of back, margined witii black; primaries
21
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
and tail, black (the latter has twelve feathers) ; crest (which
is assumed in early spring and said to disappear by the
latter part of May), greenish-black ; under parts, deep rich
green, iridescent with purple ; irides, green ; bill, blackish ;
base of under mandible, yellow ; legs, feet, and webs, black.
Length, from twenty-six to twenty-seven inches. The
female same as male.
(Bannct
The Gannet {Suhi bassana, Brisson) is a resident species in
our British waters, varying in numbers according to the
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
219
time of year. It is also found inhabiting the coasts of the
North Atlantic. The adult male has the head and neck
white, suffused with warm buff; the rest of the plumage,
white, with the exception of the primaries, which are black ;
naked skin round eyes, greyish-blue ; bill, horny-white ;
irides, light straw-yellow; fore part of legs and toes, green.
Length, from thirty to thirty-four inches. The female
resembles male. The young, on upper parts, are dark
brownish-ash, mottled with white ; under parts, dusky-ash
and buff.
fIDutc Swan,
The Mute Swan {Cvij^nus o/or, J. E. (imclin) is a more or
less domesticated species in this country, although it is not
improbable that in hard winters a few really wild examples
visit the British Isles. It is an inhabitant of most portions
of the Palearctic Region. The adult has tlie whole of the-
220
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
plumage white ; greater part of the bill, reddish-orange ;
protuberance at base of upper mandible, lores, edges of
mandibles, nail, and nostrils, also legs and feet, black ;
irides, brown. Length, about sixty inches. The female is
less in size, and protuberance is not so large. The young
have the plumage mostly uniform greyish-brown ; bill and
legs, leaden colour.
Iboopcr S\van<
JOHA/' 77u/VCA/\/
The Hooper Swan {Cygnus innsicus, Bechstein) is a
common autumn and winter migrant to the British Isles,
and inhabits the Northern Palearctic Region. The adult
has the whole plumage white ; the lores and basal portion
of bill, reaching below the nostrils, yellow ; remaining
portion of bill, black ; irides, brown ; legs and feet, black.
Length, about sixty inches. The female is a trifle less.
The young have the upper parts ashy-brown, lighter below ;
bill, legs, and feet, dusky flesh colour.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
fficwich'9 Swan,
'JOhW Duf^C^'
Bewick's Swan {Cygmis Beivicki, Varrell) is a fairly
common autumn and winter migrant to the Ikitisb
Islands, and occurs in most parts of the Palearctic Region
with the exception of Iceland. The adult has the whole
plumage white; loral region and an oval patch (which
does not reach the nostrils) on each side of upper
mandible, yellow ; rest of bill, black ; irides, hazel ; legs
and feet, black. Length, from forty-five to forty-nine
inches. The young are similar to the young of the
hooper, but much less in size.
222 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
XcBBcv QnoxKf (3ooec.
The Lesser Snow Goose (C/ien hyperboreus, Pallas) is a
very rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British Isles,
and inhabits the western portion of Arctic America and
North-Eastern Asia, migrating southward in winter. The
adult has the entire plumage white with the exception of
the primary coverts, which are grey; quills, black, grey at
the base; irides, hazel; bill, pale red; legs and feet.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
22
darker red. Length, from twenty-nine to thirty-two inches.
The female is a Uttle less in size than the male. The
young have the upper plumage greyish; feathers on wing-
coverts and back, marked in centre with darker grey ; under
parts, whitish ; bill, black ; legs and feet, pale slate colour.
The Grey- Lag Cioose {A user cincreus, Meyer) is a com-
paratively rare resident in the liritish Isles, its numbers
being largely increased in the winter by visitors from more
northern latitudes ; it also inhabits the Palearctic Region,
and in winter is found in Northern Africa and India. The
adult has the general colour of the head, neck, and upper
parts of plumage, greyish-brown ; rump and wing-rovcrts,
224
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
bluish-grey; narrow band of white at base of upper
mandible; throat and breast, grey; below, dull white;
flanks, ashy-brown, margined and tipped with paler brown ;
irides, brown ; bill, pinkish ; whitish coloured nail ; legs
and feet, flesh tint. Length, from thirty to thirty-five
inches. The female resembles male. The young are
darker than mature birds.
Bean (Soosc.
JOHN Uufl/CAN. -'l;^\j *^^'
The Bean Goose (A/iser segeium^ Gmelin) is a common
autumn and winter migrant to the British Islands, and
inhabits the Northern Palearctic Region. In autumn it
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
225
migrates to North- West Africa. The adult is similar to the
grey-lag goose, but is a little less in size, the wing is longer,
and the feathers on the back have much darker brown
centres ; irides are hazel ; the beak is black at the base, the
middle portion orange-yellow, and the nail black; whilst
legs and feet are orange-yellow. Length, from thirty to
thirty-four inches.
Ipink^footcb (Sooec.
^^i.>/ /y?
'i\ JonA/ JJuf^CAK
The Pink-footed Goose {Anser bracliyrhynclms, Baillon) is
a common autumn and winter migrant to the British Isles,
and inhabits the northern portions of the Palcarctic Region,
in autumn migrating southward. The adult is distinguished
from the l)can goose by its shorter wing, and the middle
15
226
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
of the bill being pink ; the legs and feet are also pink.
Length, from twenty-eight to twenty-nine inches.
Mbite:=froitteb Goose.
DUA/CA//'
n:^y':-Z;00^^)mp^ ,
The White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons^ Scopoli) is a
common, though local, autumn and winter migrant to the
British Islands. It is also found in summer in the Northern
Palearctic Region, and in autumn migrates southward to
Northern Africa and India. The adult has the upper part
of plumage brown, tinged with ashy; feathers on back have
paler margins; base of upper mandible and forehead, white ;
primaries, black ; breast and abdomen, brownish-white, with
bold blotches and bands of black; irides, hazel ; bill, yellow;
nail at tip, white; legs, toes, and webs, yellow. Length,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
227
about twenty-seven inches. The young show no white at
the base of the bill.
Xc69cr Mbite*=frontc& (Sooec.
-^»'
The Lesser White-fronted Goose {A/iser albifrons ininuius^
Naumann) is an exceedingly rare autumn and winter
migrant to the British Islands. It inhabits Arctic Russia and
Siberia, and in autumn migrates southward. The adult
male closely resembles A?iser aIbifro?is^ but is much smaller,
shows more white on the forehead, and the plumage is darker ;
iridcs, brown ; bill, whitish-pink ; nail, horn colour ; legs,
toes, and webs, yellow. Length, about twenty inches.
221
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Brent (Boose.
Uq/iJl^uNCA /V.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 229
The Brent Goose {Bernicla brenta, Brisson) is a common
autumn and winter migrant to the British Isles. It inhabits
the Arctic portions of the Palearctic Region, and in autumn
migrates as far to the south as the Mediterranean. The
adult has the feathers on mantle blackish-brown, margined
with paler ; crown, neck, chest, wings, rump, and tail-
feathers, black ; on each side of the neck is a patch of
black and white ; sides of rump and upper tail-coverts,
white ; lower breast and belly, dark grey, margined with
lighter ; vent and under tail-coverts, white ; irides, dark
brown; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, from twenty-
two to twenty-three inches. The young are duller in colour,
and show very little white on the neck spot.
230
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Mbite-belllcb Brent (Boose.
The White-bellied Brent Goose {Bernida brenta glauco-
gaster, Brehm) is an uncommon autumn and winter migrant
to the British Islands. It inhabits the Arctic Regions, and
migrates southward in autumn and winter. This goose is
distinguished from Bernida brenta by having the under
parts below the breast almost white.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Bcrnacle 6ooec.
2^1
Thk licrnaclc Goose {Beniicla Icucopsis, Bcchstcin) is a
common autumn and winter migrant to the British Isles.
It inhabits Arctic Europe, and during migration passes
southward to the Mediterranean and Egypt. The adult
has the cheeks, line over the eye, forehead, and throat,
white; lores, top of head, neck, and shoulders, black';
mantle, lavender grey, with black bars and white tips; pri-
232
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
maries and tail, blackish; breast and abdomen, whitish;
sides of former and flanks have obscure bars of grey and
brown ; vent and tail-coverts, white ; irides, hazel ; bill,
legs, and feet, black. Length, about twenty-five inches.
The Red-breasted Goose {Beriiicla riificollis, Pallas) is an
exceedingly rare abnormal autumn and winter migrant to
the British Islands. It inhabits Northern Siberia, and
during migration is met with in the extreme east of Europe.
The adult has the front, crown, nape, back parts of neck,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
^Zc>
patch under the eyes, and tail, black; loral patches, white;
two white stripes extending from the back of the eyes to
the bottom of the neck; ear-patches, neck, and upper part
of the back, deep rusty-red; back and wings, dusky; lower
part of breast and belly, black; sides of rump and under
tail-coverts, white; flanks, barred with blackish; irides,
hazel; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, from twenty to
twentv-two inches.
Contnton SbclbraUc
Jufii'^t DuNCA;
The Common Sheldrake {Tadorfia coniuta, S. (i. Gmclin)
is a resident species on the British coasts, changing quarters
locally during the non-nesting period ; it is also found
inhal)iting tlic Palcarctic Region. The adult male has
234
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
the head and upper neck blackish-green, with glossy
reflections ; lower part of neck, sides of body, lower part
of back, wing-coverts, upper tail-coverts, and tail, white,
the latter tipped with black ; wing spot, green ; scapulars,
a portion of secondaries, and primaries, blackish ; a rich
chestnut band on chest and upper back ; centre of
abdomen, brownish-black ; bill and basal knob, bright
red ; irides, brown ; legs and feet, red. Length, about
twenty-five or twenty-six inches. The female is similar to
male, but lacks knob and is a trifle less in size. The
young are duller in colouration, having head and neck
brown, and showing much more white than adults.
John Buaican.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
235
The Ruddy Sheldrake {Tadorna casarca, Linnxus) is a
rare irregular autumn and winter migrant to the British
Isles, and in summer inhabits the Southern Palearctic
Region. The adult male has the upper back, mantle,
scapulars, and the whole of the under parts, yellowish-
chestnut ; ring round lower neck, quills, upper tail-coverts,
and tail, black, with a greenish gloss ; forehead, white ;
head, rufous-buff; speculum, bright metallic-green; irides,
dark hazel ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, about
twenty-five inches. The adult female is similar to male,
but the neck ring is absent. The young in first plumage
are somewhat similar to the adult females, but are lighter
in colour, and the wing-coverts, scapulars, and innermost
secondaries are tincred with brown.
antcrican Miocoit.
TiiR American Wigeon {Anas Americana, Gmclin) is a
very rare irregular autumn migrant to tiie British Islands.
236 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
It inhabits Western Arctic America, migrating southward
in winter to Central America and the West Indies. The
adult male has the head and neck whitish, speckled slightly
with black, and a patch of metallic green on the side of
the head ; back and flanks, vermiculated with black on a
vinous tint ; axillaries, white ; breast, shaded with vinous ;
speculum, black, glossed with green ; abdomen, white ;
bill, slate colour; nail, black. Length, about twenty-two
inches. The adult female is similar to Aftas pe?ieiope, but
the alar bar is rich black, and the axillaries white, very
slightly mottled.
WiGEON.
The Wigeon {Anas penelope, Linnaeus) is best known as a
winter visitor to the British Islands, but a few pairs nest
within our limits. It also inhabits most parts of the Pale-
arctic and Nearctic Regions, but only sparingly in the
latter. The adult male has the crown and forehead ochreous-
buff; cheeks and back part of neck, rich ferruginous, with
minute spots of dark green; lower portion of neck behind,
also scapulars and back, fine vermiculations of dark grey
and white ; scapulars, elongated ; speculum, vivid green,
tipped below with black ; primaries and tail, blackish ; chin,
black: throat and upper part of neck, chestnut; breast,
white, shading into grey; flanks, finely marked with dark
grey ; irides, hazel ; bill, slate-grey ; tip, black ; legs and
feet, deep greyish-blue. Length, about twenty or twenty-
one inches. (P. 237.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
237
Migcon.
*JoH/v DufiC/^/v-
238
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common ^eaL
^^^
i/o///V Da/vcA/v .
The Common Teal {Anas crecca, Linnaeus) is a locally
distributed species throughout the British Islands, and also
inhabits the Palearctic Region, but is rare in the Nearctic
Region. The adult male has the crown, nape, and cheeks
bright chestnut ; enclosing the eye, and reaching the nape,
is a large patch of bright green with glossy purple reflec-
tions ; bordered by black and white ; sides of lower neck,
back, scapulars, and flanks, finely vermiculated with black
and white ; wing-coverts, brown, shaded w^ith greyish ;
speculum, black, green, and purple, tipped with pale buff;
rump and tail-coverts, blackish ; feathers of tail, brown,
washed with ash ; chin, black ; breast, chestnut, spotted
with round black spots ; middle of abdomen, white ; under
tail-coverts, black in the centre with rich buff" on each side ;
irides, hazel ; bill, black ; legs and feet, brownish. Length,
about fourteen inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 239
I
<^' amcrican ^eaL
The American Teal (Anas Caro/i/iensis, Gmelin) is a very
rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British Islands, and
is found inhabiting North America, migrating south in winter.
The adult has the scapulars pale slate-grey, and a broad
white crescent on each side of the breast.
16lue:=winc5cb Zeal
The Blue-winged Teal {Anas discors^ Linnaeus) is an ex-
ceedingly rare straggling autumn migrant to the British
Islands, whose claims to be included in the British list are
very doubtful. It is found inhabiting the Central and
Southern Nearctic Region. The adult male of this teal
can readily be distinguished from its allies by a white
crescent between the eye and the bill, and by the con-
spicuous blue wing-coverts.
240 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(BabwalL
The Gadwall {A?ias strepera, Linnaeus) is a resident species
in some parts of the British Islands, nesting in some dis-
tricts in fair numbers. It occurs in both the Palearctic
and Nearctic Regions. The adult male has the head and
upper part of neck pale brown, mottled with darker brown ;
back and lesser wing-coverts, dark brown, edged with pale
grey ; upper and under tail-coverts, black ; median coverts,
chestnut ; greater coverts, blackish ; primaries, brown ;
speculum, white ; chest and flanks, dusky, margined with
paler; centre of abdomen, whitish; irides, brown; bill,
black ; legs and feet, dull orange-red. Length, from nine-
teen to twenty inches. The female has the upper parts of
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
241
plumage and breast margined with pale brown ; speculum,
white. The young are brown of various shades; speculum,
white.
pintail 2)ucft*
Ua^c,
TiiK Pintail Duck {Anas acuta, Linnxus) is a fairly common
visitant to tlie British Isles in winter. It is also met with
in the Northern Palearctic and Nearctic Regions, and during
winter is found in tlie Oriental Re-ion. The adult male has
16
242 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
the back and scapulars (the latter being elongated) finely
vermiculated with brown and grey ; speculum, vivid green,
margined with black and white; tail, blackish-grey; central
pair of rectrices, black, and elongated; under tail-coverts,
black ; head and throat, dark reddish-brown ; back of neck,
darker and colours glossed ; a white stripe runs down each
side of neck ; under parts, white ; irides, brown ; bill,
leaden-blue, black in upper centre ; legs and feet, black.
Length, about twenty-four inches. The female has no
long tail-feathers.
Garganey.
The Garganey (A^as dra'a, Linnaeus) is a summer migrant
to the British Isles; it inhabits most parts of the Pale-
arctic Region with the exception of the extreme north. In
winter it occurs as far southwards as the Malay Archipelago.
The adult male has the back brown, glossed with green,
and paler margins; scapulars, long and elongated, and
conspicuously marked in centre with a white stripe; wing-
coverts, bluish, tinged with grey; speculum, glossy green,
with white margins on either side; quills and tail, brown;
crown and nape, deep rich umber-brown, with a border of
white; chin, black; cheeks and throat, rufous-brown;
breast, light brown, with crescentic bands of dark brown;
abdomen, white; with fine blackish vermiculations towards
vent, and having two black crescents on each lower flank;
irides, hazel; bill, blackish; legs and feet, greyish-brown.
Length, about fifteen inches. (P. 243.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
243
(Barganc^.
244 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Sbo\)cllei\
-Si> ■^- -^ \\ 1
c-.^*^^
Jqh/V Duncan.
The Shoveller {Anas clypeata, Linnaeus) is principally a
winter visitor to the British Isles, but a few are always
found in the nesting season breeding with us. It also in-
habits both the Palearctic and Nearctic Regions. The
adult male has the centre of back brown, margined with
paler; rump and tail-coverts, rich black; tail, black; head
and fore part of neck, rich metallic-green; majority of
feathers on lower neck and scapulars, white ; elongated
scapulars, black, blue, and white ; speculum, bright green ;
greater wing-coverts, tipped with white; primaries, black;
breast and abdomen, bright rich chestnut ; vent, white ;
under tail-coverts, black; irides, yellow; bill, bluish-slate,
and dilated at the end; legs and feet, orange. Length,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
245
about twenty-one inches. The female has the upper parts
deep brown, margined and barred with reddish-white;
under parts, light reddish-brown.
flDallar^
John^Doncan
The Mallard {Anas bosclias^ Linnxus) is a resident species
in the British Isles, and also inhabits most portions of the
Palearctic and Nearctic Regions. The adult male has the
head and neck glossy green ; followed by a collar of pure
white ; breast, deep chestnut-red ; mantle, chestnut-brown,
feathers margined with paler ; scapulars, greyish-white, ver-
miculated with brown ; rump and centre tail-feathers, which
are curled up, black; lesser wing-coverts, greyish-brown;
greater coverts, barred with white and tipped with black ;
speculum, brilhant violet, shading into black and tipped
246
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
with white ; primaries, greyish-brown ; abdomen and flanks,
white tinged with grey, and finely vermiculated with dusky ;
irides, dark brown; bill, yellowish; legs and feet, orange.
Length, about twenty-four inches. The female has the
general colouration brown and bufl" of various shades.
pocbarb.
The Pochard {^Fuligula ferina^ Linnaeus) is a fairly common
winter visitor to the British Isles, and it also inhabits the
Palearctic Region, but does not occur in the extreme North
and East. The adult male in summer dress has the head
and upper neck rich chestnut ; breast and upper portion
of back, brownish-black ; mantle and breast, white, tinged
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
247
with grey, with fine vermiculations of dark grey ; upper tail-
coverts, black ; speculum, grey ; under parts, greyish-white,
vermiculated with grey ; under tail-coverts, black ; irides,
red ; bill, black, showing a broad band of blue across the
centre ; legs and toes, bluish-grey ; w^ebs, black. Length,
about eighteen inches. The female has the chin whitish ;
head, neck, and breast, brownish. The remainder of
j)lumage shows more brown than in the male.
1Rcb=^crc6tcb pocbarb.
Thk Rcd-crestcd Pochard {/'u/r^u/a rufina, Pallas) is a
rare irregular winter migrant to the P>ritish Isles, and also
248 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
inhabits the South-Western Palearctic Region. The adult
male has the head and fore-neck rufous, the former being
furnished with a soft bushy crest ; lower neck, breast, and
belly, rich warm black ; secondaries, white ; some of the
quills and speculum, white; back and tail, brown; shoulders
and flanks, white ; irides, red ; bill, rich crimson ; nail,
brown; legs and feet, rich orange. Length, about twenty-
one inches. The adult female has the general colour of
the upper parts greyish-brown ; head, tinged with yellowish-
brown ; white shoulder patches absent.
White-eyed Pochard.
The White-eyed Pochard {Fiiligula nyroca, Guldenstadt) is
a rare abnormal spring, autumn, and winter migrant to the
British Isles, and is also found in the Southern Palearctic
Region and North-Western Oriental Region. The adult
male has the back, wings, and tail deep brown ; a w^hite
speculum with a black border in front; head, neck, and
breast, rich chestnut; a dusky ring encircles the lower neck;
a small white spot on chin ; abdomen, whitish ; flanks, dull
chestnut ; under tail-coverts, white ; irides, white ; bill,
blackish ; nail, black ; legs and feet, slate colour. Length,
about sixteen inches. The adult female closely resembles
the male, with the exception that the colouration is duller
and the belly marked with brown. The young of the year
are similar to the adult females, but show less white and
chestnut. (P. 249.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
149
Mbite^^e^eb pocbarb*
250
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
^uftcb 2)ucJ^,
The Tufted Duck {Fuligula cristata, Leach) is a winter
visitor to the British low-lying coasts, and a fair number
are known to nest with us ; it also occurs in the more
temperate portion of the Palearctic Region. The adult
male has the head, elongated crest, and upper portion of
neck, black, glossed with purple ; lower part of neck,
black; mantle and scapulars, brownish-black, with fine
vermiculations of brown ; speculum, white ; abdomen,
white, tinged with grey towards vent ; under tail-coverts,
black ; irides, light yellow ; bill, bluish-grey, with black
nail ; legs, bluish-grey ; webs, dusky. Length, about
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 251
fifteen inches. The female has the parts which are black
in the male, brownish; abdomen and sides, white, with a
greyish tinge ; on forehead, some white mottlings.
Scaup.
Zhi^c^N
The Scaup {Fuligula /nan'/a, Linna:us) is a common
autumn and winter migrant to the British Islands, and
inhabits both the Northern Ncarctic and Palcarctic
Regions. 'Hie adult male has the middle of the back
and scapulars silvery white, with black vermiculations ;
speculum and under parts, white ; head, neck, and breast.
2^2
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
black, glossed with purple ; most feathers of wings, greyish-
brown ; rump, upper and under tail-coverts, black, with
glossy reflections ; irides, yellow ; bill, pale slate-blue ; nail,
black; legs and feet, slate-grey. Length, from seventeen
to nineteen inches. The adult female has the general
colour of upper plumage and breast brown, with a few
vermiculations of whitish ; flanks, faintly barred with brown;
forehead and chin, whitish. The young resemble the adult
females, but the feathers round the base of the bill show
much less whitish.
Golden Eye.
The Golden Eye {Clangula glaucion, Linnaeus) is a
common autumn and winter migrant to the British
Islands, and inhabits the Northern Nearctic and Palearctic
Regions. The adult male has the head and upper part
of neck black, with green and purple reflections ; a white
spot under the lores ; upper plumage varied with black
and white ; under parts, white ; thighs, brown ; irides, rich
yellow ; bill, black ; legs and toes, orange ; webs, blackish.
Length, from seventeen to nineteen inches. The adult
female is less in size, and lacks the white on the face. The
young in first plumage are similar to the adult female.
(P. 253.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
25:
(Bolbcn ]£^c.
Jo/t\ Uu A/CAN-
254
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Ibarlcquin 3)ucf^,
The Harlequin Duck {^Fuligula histrionica^ Linnaeus) is an
exceedingly fare nomadic autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and inhabits the Eastern Palearctic and Nearctic
Regions. The adult male of this duck cannot be mistaken
for any other British species, and a detailed description is
hardly needed. The general colouration of the plumage is
of a leaden tint, varied with markings of white, black, chest-
nut, and brown ; the wing speculum is metallic purple ;
irides, hazel; bill, dark slate, lighter on the nail; legs and
feet, brown, with darker webs. Length, about seventeen
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 255
inches. The adult female is mostly uniform brown, with a
faint whitish patch between the base of the bill and eye ;
under parts, mottled wnth white.
XoiiG^tailcb 2)uck.
///V UuA/CArS
The Long-tailed Duck {Fiiligiihi ghnialis, Linnaeus), a
tolerably common autumn and winter migrant to the
P>ritish Islands, is a circumpolar species, migrating in
autumn southward through both Ivastcrn and Western
256 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Hemispheres. The adult male in summer has the head,
neck, upper part of breast, and upper back, white; eyes,
surrounded with a greyish tinge; a large patch of dark
brown on each side of lower scapulars, elongated and white;
back, rump, wings, tail and upper tail-coverts, deep brown;
two central tail-feathers which are narrow and much elon-
gated, brown; outer rectrices, white; flanks, washed with
grey ; breast, dark brown ; below, white ; irides, reddish-
brown; bill at basal half and nail, black ; remainder, orange-
red ; legs and feet, deep slate-grey. Length, without central
tail-feathers, about twenty-two inches. The adult female
lacks the elongated rectrices.
Common Scoter.
The Common Scoter i^Fuligula nigra^ Linnaeus) is an
autumn and winter visitor to the British Islands, breeding
very locally in Scotland ; it is also found inhabiting the
whole of the Northern Palearctic Region. The adult male
has the whole of the plumage rich glossy black; irides,
hazel; bill, black, with central ridge of upper mandible
deep yellow ; legs and feet, blackish, webs of a darker
hue. Length, from eighteen to twenty inches. The adult
female has the prevailing colouration of the plumage of a
brownish tinge; knob on bill hardly perceptible. The
young are similar to adult female, but under parts are
mottled with whitish. (P. 257.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 257
Common Scoter.
17
258
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IDelvet Scoter.
The Velvet Scoter {Ftiligula fusca, Linnseus) is a fairly
common autumn and winter migrant to the British Islands.^
It inhabits the Northern Palearctic Region, and is met with
on migration as far south as the Mediterranean. The adult
male has the whole of the plumage black (glossed above,
and duller beneath), with the exception of a spot behind the
eye and speculum, which is pure white ; irides, brownish ;
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES,
259
bill, black on the basal tubercule and nostrils ; margin of
upper mandible, also black; remainder, orange; legs and
feet, orange ; webs, blackish-brown. Length, about twenty-
two inches. The adult female is browner on the upper
parts ; underneath, greyish, streaked and spotted with
brown ; speculum, whitish ; a whitish spot on lores, and a
patch of whitish on auriculars.
Surf Scoter.
John JJu^CfiN
The Surf Scoter {Fuligula pcrspicillata, Linnaeus) is a rare
straggler in autumn and winter to the British Isles, and
inhabits the Northern Nearctic Region. The adult male in
summer has the plumage velvety black, with a tinge of
brown on the throat; a broad white l)and between the
26o
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
eyes, and a triangular patch of the same colour on the
nape; irides, straw colour; bill, orange-red on the upper
mandible; nail, yellowish-grey; protuberance on each side
at the base, black ; and in front a silvery-greyish patch
extending to the nostrils ; lower mandible, pinkish ; legs
and feet, orange-red ; webs, dusky. Length, about twenty-
one inches. The adult female is of a uniform sooty-brown
colour, lightest about the neck, and the protuberances are
scarcely to be seen ; whilst the colour is dusky.
Buffcl^bcabeb 2)uch.
The Buffel-headed Duck {Clangiila albeohi, Linnaeus) is a
very irregular winter migrant to the British Islands, and
inhabits the Northern Nearctic Region. The adult is con-
siderably less in size than Clangnla glaucion, to which it
bears a close resemblance. It can readily be distinguished
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
261
by the large white patch on the side of the head behind
the eye ; the common golden-eye has the white in front of
the eye. The adult female has also a white patch behind
the eye.
Common )£it)ei\
--^ <^:
Thi>: Common Eider (So/naieria viollissima^ Linnaeus) is a
resident species in the British Isles, but is only known to
breed in England in one locality — viz., the Fame Islands,
Northumberland. It is also found inhabiting the northern
portions of the Western Palearctic Region. The adult
262 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
male has the forehead and crown black, with a line of white
on the hind crown ; nape, emerald green, with a divisional
line of white between a green patch on each side of the
neck; throat, white; upper breast, rich buff; under parts,
black, showing a white spot on each side of vent ; lower
back, rump, upper tail-coverts, primary-coverts, greater
wing-coverts, and secondaries, black; quills and tail, dark
brown ; irides, hazel-brown ; bill, olive-green ; legs and feet,
olive-green. Length, from twenty-four to twenty-six inches.
The female is principally brown and black.
Steller's Eider.
Steller's Eider {Somateria stellej-i^ Pallas) is an exceed-
ingly rare nomadic autumn and winter migrant to the British
Isles. It inhabits the North-Eastern Palearctic Region, and
probably the extreme North-Western Palearctic Region.
The adult of this eider is easily distinguished by a black
ring (which is glossed with purple and green) round the
neck ; the elongated secondaries, which are white on the
inner and bright blue on the outer webs ; the wing-speculum,
which is bluish-purple ; and a black spot on each side of
the breast. Irides, hazel ; bill, dark slate ; nail, lighter ;
legs and feet, brownish-grey. Length, from eighteen to
nineteen inches. The adult female has the upper parts
brown ; under plumage, blackish on abdomen ; speculum,
dull bluish-purple. (P. 263.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
26-
StcUcr'6 JEi&ci\
John LluNCAN.
264 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Ikino Ei&er.
The King Eider {Somateria spedabilis, Linnaeus) is a rare
accidental straggling autumn and winter migrant to the
British Isles, and is found inhabiting the Circumpolar
Region, during winter moving southward. The adult male
has the crown and nape light bluish-grey; cheeks, pale
emerald green ; line above the eye and breast, tinged with
buff; lower portion of neck, upper back, and wing-coverts.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
■65
white; scapulars and innermost secondaries, black; pri-
maries, brown ; rump, tail-coverts, and lower parts (except
a white patch on flanks), black ; irides, yellow ; bill and
naked elevated basal tubercule, rich orange, the latter bor-
dered with black ; upper throat has a V-shaped mark of
black ; legs and feet, orange. Length, from twenty-two to
twenty-four inches.
Iboo&cb flDerganecn
The Hooded Merganser (A/crx^iis cucullatiis, Linnceus) is a
rare nomadic autumn and winter migrant to the British
Islands, and is also found inhabiting the Northern Nearctic
266 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Region. The adult male of this merganser can readily be
distinguished by the semicircular black crest and the broad
bar or patch of white behind the eye. Length, about nine-
teen inches. The adult female has the crest reddish-brown,
and is rather smaller in size than the male.
Goosander.
The Goosander {Mergus merganser^ Linnaeus) is a winter
visitor to the British Isles, and has nested m some parts
of the Highlands. It also occurs in the Palearctic and
Nearctic Regions. The adult male has the head and upper
part of neck black, glossed with green and purple ; feathers
on crown and nape, long and silky ; lower part of neck and
remainder of under parts, white ; breast and abdomen,
suffused with rich buff-orange ; thighs, slightly vermiculated
with grey ; mantle, black ; wing-coverts and outer second-
aries, white ; quills, black ; rump and tail, ashy-black ;
irides, red ; bill, vermilion ; nail, black ; legs and feet, rich
orange. Length, about twenty-six inches. The female is
chestnut on head and upper neck ; chin and upper throat,
whitish ; feathers on crown and nape, elongated ; upper
parts, slate-grey ; greater coverts, conspicuously tipped with
white; under parts, whitish. (P. 267.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 267
(Booaanber.
268
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
1Rc&:*brca0tcb fIDerganeer.
John XfurvCAN-
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 269
The Red-breasted Merganser {Mergiis serrato?-, Linnaeus) is
a winter visitant to England, but nests in both Scotland
and Ireland, and is also found in the Northern Palearctic
and Nearctic Regions. The adult male in summer has the
head, crest, and upper portion of neck greenish-black, with
purple reflections ; a black line runs down the back of the
neck ; near the point of the wing is a tuft of white feathers
with broad black edgings ; mantle, portion of shoulders,
inner scapulars, basal half of greater wing-coverts, second-
aries, and primaries, rich black ; speculum, white ; long
tertials bordered with black ; white collar round neck ;
upper part of breast, pale chestnut-brown, streaked with
black ; remainder of under parts, white ; flanks, rump, and
tail-coverts have grey vermiculations ; irides, red ; bill, red :
nail, black ; legs and feet, reddish-orange. Length, about
twenty-two inches. The adult female is much less than the
male, and is reddish-brown on the head and neck ; a black
bar runs across the alar speculum.
270 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Smev\)«
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 27
The Smew {Me?'giis albellus, Linnaeus) is a rare straggling
autumn and winter migrant to the British Isles, and inhabits
the Northern Palearctic Region. The adult male has the
forehead, crown, and crest (which is elongated) white ;
ioral region, black ; patch on nape, black ; back, two cres-
centic black lines on sides of breast; secondaries and middle
wing-coverts, rich black, the latter fringed with white ;
primaries, blackish ; scapulars, white and greyish, with
black margins on outer webs ; upper tail-coverts and tail,
slate-grey ; flanks and sides, vermiculated with black ;
plumage, otherwise white ; irides, reddish ; bill, slate colour,
lighter at tip ; legs and feet, grey ; webs, darker. Length,
from sixteen to seventeen inches.
272
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
3fIamingo.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 273
The Flamingo {Phoc7iicopterus roseus^ Pallas) is an ex-
ceptionally rare abnormal migrant to the British Islands,
and is found inhabiting the South-western Palearctic
Region, as well as the Northern Ethiopian Region. The
adult has the wing-coverts scarlet ; quills, black ; remainder
of plumage, white, washed with rose colour ; irides, yellow ;
base of bill, rosy, tip, black; legs and feet, light pink.
The length is said to vary from forty-four to seventy inches.
Glossy Ibis.
The Glossy Ibis {Plegadis falcinellus^ Linnaeus) is a rare
abnormal spring and autumn migrant to the British Islands,
breeding in Southern Europe, and distributed over most of
the temperate and tropical regions of both hemispheres. The
adult has the general colouration, above, glossy greenish-
black, with a metallic lustre ; head, neck, and under parts,
chestnut ; irides, brown ; naked skin, from base of bill and
round eyes, green ; bill and legs, greenish-black. Length,
about twenty-two inches. The male and female are alike
in plumage, but the latter is less in size. The young are
duller in colour, and streaked in parts with greyish-white.
(R 274.)
74
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(51006^ 3bi6.
WJom/J JJu.vcaa/.'"
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 275
276 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
( See preceding page. )
The Spoonbill (P/a/a/ea leucorodia^ Linnaeus) is an occa-
sional straggler to the British Islands during migration,
and is found inhabiting the Palearctic and Western Oriental
Region, migrating southward in winter. The adult male
has the whole of the plumage white, with the exception of
the crest and feathers on lower neck, which are slightly
suffused with pale yellow ; irides, red ; bill, tipped with
yellow ; remainder, black with yellow bars ; naked spot on
throat, yellow ; legs and feet, black. Length, about thirty-
two inches. The adult female is a trifle less, and the crest
is not so much developed.
White Stork.
The White Stork {Ciconia alba, Brisson) is a rare irregular
spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles, and inhabits
the Western Palearctic Region. The adult has the whole
of the plumage white, with the exception of the secondaries
and quills, which are black ; irides, brown ; naked space
round eye, black ; bill, legs, and feet, red. Length, from
forty to forty-four inches. (P. 277.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 277
Mbite Stork.
278 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Blach Storft.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 279
The Black Stork {Ciconia 7iigra, Linnaeus) is a very rare
spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles, and is
found inhabiting the Southern Palearctic Region. The
adult has the under parts from the lower breast, white ;
remainder of plumage rich black, more or less suffused with
purple, blue, coppery, and green reflections ; irides, brown ;
bare space round eye, scarlet ; bill, legs, and feet, scarlet.
Length, from forty to forty-two inches.
28o
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Bittern,
John Duncan ~=-
The Bittern {Botaurus sfellaris, Linnaeus) can only be
called a casual visitor to the British Isles in spring. At
one time it nested with us, but is said no longer to do so.
It is found also in most parts of the Eastern Hemisphere,
with the exception of the extreme north. The adult has
the upper parts more or less buff, with vermiculations of
brown and bars of dark brown ; forehead, crown, and
nape, brown ; side of chin, streaked with blackish ; rest of
plumage, more or less vermiculated, streaked, and marked
with chestnut, buff, and brown ; irides, brown ; bill, greenish-
yellow; legs and feet, greenish. Length, from twenty-five
to twenty-eight inches. The female is similar to the male.
The young resemble adults.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
281
Xittle Bittern.
The Little Bittern {Ardetta minuta, Linnaeus) is a spring
and autumn migrant to the British Islands, and is found
inhabiting Central Europe and Western Asia, ranging to
the south in winter as far as Central Africa. The adult
male has the crown, nape, back, shoulders, and tail-feathers
glossy greenish-black ; quills, black ; sides of head, neck,
and wing-coverts, rusty-buff, the latter paler; throat and
under parts, buff, streaked with brownish on some of the
feathers at side of chest and flanks ; chin and vent, white ;
irides and bill, yellow ; legs and feet, yellowish-olive.
Length, from twelve to thirteen inches. The adult female
is a little less than the male.
282 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
amcrican Bittent
JOHN JJuNCfKN. '^
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 283
The American Bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus, Montagu)
is a rare abnormal spring and autumn migrant to the
British Islands, and inhabits the Nearctic Region, but not
the extreme north. The adult is similar in general coloura-
tion of plumage to the common bittern. It is, however,
smaller in size, the vermiculations are much finer, and the
primaries, which are uniform slate-brown, are not barred.
The bill, legs, and feet are also more slender than those of
Botaurus stellaris. Length, about twenty-seven inches.
The female resembles the male, but is less in size. The
young show more rufous in the colouration.
CoMiMON Heron.
The Common Heron {Ardea cijierea, Linnaeus) is a resident
in the British Islands, and is found inhabiting most parts
of Europe, Asia, and Africa, with the exception of the
extreme north of the two former continents. The adult
male has the forehead, crown, sides of head, throat, edge
of wings, breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts, white ;
upper parts, mostly ashy-grey, with the elongated feathers
lighter grey ; primaries, black ; sides of breast, boldly
marked with black ; neck, white, streaked in front with
blackish ; occipital plumes, much elongated and black ;
irides, yellow ; bill, yellow ; legs and feet, yellowish-green.
Length, about thirty-six inches. The adult female closely
resembles male, but the plumage is duller and crest shorter.
(P. 284.)
284 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common Ibcron.
JOHW BUhIC*-
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
285
IRiObt Ibcron.
v/j///V Du/vCA/^
The Night Heron {Nycticorax griseiis, Linnaeus) is a
rare spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles, and
inhabits the Southern Palearctic Region, as well as Africa.
The adult has the crown, nape, upper back, and scapulars
deep brown, with a metallic-green gloss ; wings and tail,
pale slate ; forehead, eye-stripe, occipital plumes, and
remainder of plumage, white; irides, deep red; bill,
blackish ; legs and feet, yellowish- brown. Length, from
twenty-two to twenty-three inches. The female has the
occipital plumes less developed, and the [)lumage is duller
in colouration than the male. The young bird has no
crest.
286
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
36uff*bacfeeb Iberon.
^^t_
The Buff-backed Heron {Ardea biibuleus^ Audouin) is an
exceedingly rare abnormal spring and autumn migrant to
the British Isles. It inhabits Southern Europe and Africa,
but is met with in the south-western parts of Asia. The
adult male in summer has the plumage of the head, neck,
breast, and the elongated filamentous feathers of plumes,
rusty-buff; remainder of plumage, white; irides, yellowish-
pink ; bill, reddish at base, yellow at tip ; legs, yellowish ;
lores, yellow. Length, from eighteen to twenty inches.
The female resembles the male, but is rather less, and the
plumes are smaller.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
287
Squacco Iberon.
JOMN Du/VCAfi
-^^^U~-7^^^-
The Squacco Heron {Ardea comata^ Pallas) is a rare ab-
normal spring and summer migrant to the British Islands.
It is found inhabiting Southern Europe and Africa, and in
winter migrates from Europe. The adult has the feathers
of cheeks, back, neck, and upper breast, buff, tinged with
light reddish on the back ; feathers on the crown, which
are much lengthened, white, bordered with black; dorsal
plumes, much elongated; remainder of plumage, white;
irides, light yellow ; bill, blue, black at tip ; bare part round
eye, green ; legs and feet, yellowish flesh colour. Length,
from eighteen to nineteen inches. The adult female is
similar to the adult male, but the plumes are less developed.
288 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
purple Ibcron.
John Buncan. ^? ^/
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 289
The Purple Heron {Ardea purpurea, LinnDSus) is a rare
irregular spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles.
It inhabits most of the temperate and tropical regions of
the Eastern Hemisphere; in the northern parts it is migra-
tory. The adult has the crown and elongated feathers of
occiput purplish-black ; back and wing-coverts, deep slate-
grey ; dorsal plumes, rusty-red ; chin and throat, white ;
sides of head and neck, ferruginous, with streaks of blackish ;
neck, yellowish-chestnut, with a black line down each side ;
elongated feathers on chest, black, grey, and reddish ; under
parts, rich chestnut ; irides, yellow ; bill, yellow, brownish
above ; legs and feet, olive. Length, from twenty-nine to
thirtv-six inches.
Little Egret.
The Little Egret {Ardea garzetfa, Linnoeus) is an exceed-
ingly rare irregular spring and autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and inhabits the Southern Palearctic Region and
Ethiopian and Oriental Regions. The adult in summer
plumage has a crest on the occiput consisting of two elon-
gated feathers ; lower neck, furnished with lengthened
feathers ; back plumes, elongated ; entire plumage, white ;
irides, light yellow; naked part round eye, lavender; bill
and legs, blackish ; lower part of feet, yellowish. Length,
about twenty-four inches. The plumes of the adult female
are said to be shorter than those of the adult male, but
otherwise the plumage is similar. The young have no
lengthened [)lumes. (!'. 290.)
If)
290
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
little leoret.
'./ '•• %^ ^'
JoHA/ Duncan.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
291
(Breat Mbitc EQret
The (ireat White Egret {A?'dea alba^ Linnceus) is a very
rare abnormal spring and autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and is found inhabiting the Southern Palearctic
Region. The adult in summer has a short occipital crest ;
dorsal plumes, which are elongated, hang over the tail :
feathers at bottom of neck, prolonged and lancelote ;
])lumage, entirely white; irides, yellow; bare part round
eye, greenish-yellow ; bill, black ; legs and feet, reddish-
brown. Length, from forty to forty-two inches. Tlie
plumes, which are shorter in the adult female, are absent in
the young birds ; bill, yellow.
292 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Contnton Crane.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 293
'J'he Common Crane {Griis communis^ Bechstein), which is
a rare straggling spring and autumn migrant to the British
Isles, is found inhabiting the Palearctic Region. The adult
has the general colour grey ; top of the head, which is bare
of feathers, red ; forehead and lores, black ; nape, chin, and
front of neck, greyish-black ; primaries, black ; innermost
secondaries, elongated and forming graceful plumes ; irides,
crimson ; bill, olivish ; legs and feet, blackish. Length,
from forty-five to forty-six inches.
Demoiselle Crane.
The Demoiselle Crane {Grus virgo, Linnaeus) is an ex-
ceedingly rare straggling spring migrant to the British
Isles, and inhabits the Southern Palearctic Region. The
adult male has the general colouration ashy-grey; the sides
of the head, neck, and a prolonged plume depending from
the breast, blackish ; behind each eye is a long tuft of white
feathers passing backwards to the occiput ; secondaries,
elongated into slender-pointed plumes, which fall over quills
and tail ; irides, crimson ; bill, greenish at base, light brown
at tip ; legs and feet, blackish. Length, about thirty-six
inches. The female is duller in colour than the male, and
the elongated feathers are less developed. (P. 294.)
294 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
DeiDoiaclIc Crane.
■J OH A/ Liu/^c^y.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 295
Great Buetarb.
^■^^^A"^
Jof^A/ Uurvc.
The Great Bustard {Otis tarda, Linnaeus), which formerly
bred in, but is now only an irregular nomadic spring,
autumn, and winter migrant to, the British Isles, inhabits
the Southern Palearctic Region. The adult male has the
head pale grey ; on each side of the base of the bill is a
long tuft of whitish feathers ; throat and upper neck,
wliite ; upper plumage, mostly yellowish-rusty or buflish-
rcd, barred and otherwise variegated with brown and
black; chest, yellowish-rusty, with markings of chestnut;
underneath, white; irides, dark hazel; bill, grey; tip,
darker; legs and feet, brown. Length, about forty-five
inches. The adult female is much smaller, and the mous-
tachial tuft and chestnut markings on chest are absent.
296
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Xittle Buatarb.
The Little Bustard {Otis tetrax^ Linnaeus), which is a rare
stragghng spring, autumn, and winter migrant, inhabits the
South-western Palearctic Region. The adult male of this
bustard bears a close resemblance in the colouration of the
plumage to that of Otis tarda, but the chest is crossed by
two black bands, and the moustachial plumes (which are
conspicuous in the great bustard) are absent ; irides, bright
yellow ; bill, brownish ; tip, darker ; legs and feet, dusky-
yellow. Length, from sixteen to seventeen inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 297
fIDacqueeiVe Buetarb,
W^^^Bm^:^-^^^^
V ~~
?:«
298 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
( See preceditig page. )
Macqueen's Bustard (yOtis Macqueeni^ Gray) is an exceed-
ingly rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British Isles,
and inhabits the South Central Palearctic Region. The
adult male has the upper plumage light sandy-buff and rich
cream or reddish-fawn colour, with darker markings here
and there, and fine vermiculations of dark brown ; the
upper crest feathers are w^hite tipped with black ; undermost
crest feathers, white; ruff on side of neck, mostly black;
tail, barred irregularly with three bands of bluish-grey ; sides
of head, pale fawn, with fine vermiculations of brown ;
feathers of crop, grey and elongated ; under parts, white ;
under tail-coverts, banded and vermiculated with black.
Length, about twenty-six inches.
Stone Curlew.
The Stone Curlew {(Edincnevms crepitans^ Temminck) is
a summer migrant to the British Islands, but examples are
occasionally obtained in winter. It also occurs in temperate
Europe, Northern Africa, as well as South-Western Asia.
The adult has the upper parts light brown, streaked down
the centres of feathers with dark brown ; primaries, black,
the first two being banded with white ; between greater and
lesser wing-coverts a light band passes across ; feathers of
tail, faint brown, variegated with brown of a darker shade ;
a streak below the eye and throat, white ; neck and breast,
buff, with dark brown streaks ; abdomen, lighter ; vent and
under tail-coverts, whitish; irides, rich yellow, and large;
bill, light yellow at base, remainder black ; legs and feet,
yellow. Length, about seventeen inches. (P. 299.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
299
Stone (turlevw
r-^^^T^
300
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Cream^colourcb Conraer.
The Cream-coloured Courser {Cursorius gal/kus, Gmelin)
is a rare abnormal spring and autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and is found inhabiting North Africa and South-
western Asia. The adult has the general colour of the
plumage ochreous-buff, lighter on under parts; crown, buff,
shading into dark grey on nape, and bordered with black ;
a band over the eye passing to the nape, white, and a black
stripe below; primaries, black; throat, white; tail-feathers,
marked w^ith a black spot near the end ; irides, hazel ; bill,
black, lighter at base beneath ; legs and feet, dusky brown.
Length, about ten inches. The male and female are alike
in plumage.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
;oi
2)ottereL
■i>UKlCf'^ Y\
'1'he Dotterel {Eudromias inorinelliis^ Linnaeus) is a summer
migrant to the British Isles, and is widely distributed through
Northern and Central Europe and Western Asia, wintering
in Africa north of the Eciuator. The adult female in summer
has the upper parts ashy-brown, edged witli paler; inner
secondaries, margined with rufous ; crown, blackish ; eye-
stripe, broad and white, sloping downward and running
backward to the nape ; tail, tipped with white, with the
exception of rectrices ; chin and upper throat, white ; lower
throat, light brown tinged with greyish, with some dark
marks intervening; a white band passes across the chest,
which is bordered on the upper side with black; lower
breast and flanks, bright chestnut ; abdomen, black ; irides,
hazel; bill, black; legs and feet, brownish-yellow. Length,
ai)out nine inclies. The male is less than the female, and
duller in colouralion.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Contnton pratincole.
The Common Pratincole {Glareola pratincola^ Linnaeus) is
a rare irregular spring and autumn migrant to the British
Islands, and is found inhabiting the South-western Palearctic
Region. The adult has the general colour of the plumage
brownish-grey ; throat, white, tinged with rusty, and banded
by a narrow crescentic black band ; lores, black ; primaries
and greater wing-coyerts, blackish ; tail-coverts and tail,
white ; the latter forked and banded broadly at the terminal
end with brownish-black ; breast, pale brownish-buff ; below,
white ; axillaries, reddish-chestnut ; irides, dark hazel ; bill,
reddish, black at the tip ; legs and feet, dark brown. Length,
from nine to ten inches. The adult female has the black
on the lores less pronounced, and the crescentic band is
absent.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
;o3
Xapwing.
The Lapwing ( Vanellus cristatus^ Wolf and Meyer) is a
resident species in the British Islands, and is also an in-
habitant of the Palearctic Region. The adult male in
nuptial plumage has the upper parts green, with glossy re-
flections of hluish-purple and reddish-purple ; upper tail-
coverts, bright chestnut ; tail-feathers have the basal half
white ; rest, black, tipped with white ; excepting outermost
ones, which are nearly white ; the crown and crest feathers,
black, glossed with green; sides of neck, whitish; face,
throat, and upper portion of breast, black, tinged with blue ;
abdomen, white ; under tail-covcrts, chestnut: irides, brown ;
bill, black ; legs and feet, brownish-red. Length, about
thirteen inches. The female is duller in colour than male
and crest shorter. The young birds show no black on
throat ; crest also short.
304
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Sociable Xapwing.
JO.IiV IJjNCAtJ. ^
The Sociable Lapwing ( Vanellus gregarius, Pallas) is an
exceedingly rare straggling autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and is found inhabiting the South Central Palearctic
Region. The adult has the top of the head, lores, and a
streak behind the eye, black : a broad line of white runs
from the base of the bill over the eye to the nape ; ear-
coverts, light buff; chin, white; hind neck, back, scapulars,
and wing-coverts, greyish : secondaries and tail, white ;
central tail-feathers have a band of black near the terminal
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
305
end; primaries, mostly black; breast, ashy-grey; abdomen,
black; flanks and vent, rich deep chestnut; under tail-
coverts, white ; irides, dark hazel ; bill, legs, and feet, black.
Length, about thirteen inches.
Ikillbccr iplovcr.
^,^H^ Hjncas^ ^' <-'^, ' VT ^ '
The Killdeer Plover {^Ai^^ialitis voci/cra, Linnaeus) is a very
rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British Islands, and
inhabits the Nearctic Region with the exception of the
extreme north. The adult of this plover can be dis-
tinguished from its British allies by the lower back, rump,
and upper tail-coverts being rufous. Length, from nine to
ten inches.
20
3o6
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(Breater IRingcb plover.
The Greater Ringed Plover {.-^gialitis hiatiatla iiiajor^
Tristam) is a common resident in the British Isles. It
is also said to inhabit the Western Palearctic Region and the
North-eastern Nearctic Region. The adult male in spring
plumage has a band at the base of upper mandible, lores,
crown, a patch below the eye, and a band across the chest,
which narrows tow^ards the nape, black ; forehead, a stripe
behind the eye, chin, throat, and a broad ring round the
neck, white ; upper parts mostly ashy-brown ; primaries,
brown ; with w^hite on the shafts forming a white bar across
when the wing is extended ; outer rectrices, chiefly white ;
remainder brown, tipped with white; lower breast and
abdomen, white ; irides, brown ; bill, yellow at base, black
at tip ; legs and feet, orange. Length, about seven inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
307
IRinocb plover.
The Ringed Plover {^^gialitis hiatiada, I.inn^us) is a
common spring and autumn coasting migrant to the British
Isles. It is also found inhabiting the Western Palearctic
Region and North-eastern Nearctic Region.
Xittlc IRinocb plover.
The Little Ringed JMover {.Egia/itis minor, Wolf and
Meyer) is a rare irregular spring and autumn migrant to
the British Isles, and inhabits the Palearctic Region. The
plumage of the adult closely resembles that of the ringed
plover, but can readily be distinguished by having tlie
shafts of the quills all dusky with the exception of the
outer one, which is white. Length, about six inches.
3o8
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Ikentisb Sanb plover.
John DufiCAN
The Kentish Sand Plover {.^gialop]iilus cantiajius^ Latham)
is a summer visitor to the British Isles, and is also found
in the temperate parts of the Palearctic Region, making
its way in winter to Africa, India, and Southern China.
The adult has the upper parts pale brown, tinged with
greyish ; secondaries, light brown : primaries, greyish-
brown, the former tipped with white ; tail, hair-brown ;
three outer feathers on each side, pale ochreous-white ;
forehead, and a wide line passing over each eye, white ;
the lores, black ; a stripe behind the eye, black ; fore part
of crown, black ; top of head and nape, rich warm brown ;
all round neck, and whole of under parts, white ; neck on
each side has a black patch ; irides, dark brown ; bill, legs,
and feet, black. Length, about six inches. The female
has the plumage duller, no black on fore-crown; neck
spots, brown.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
309
Caspian Sanb plovcn
The Caspian Sand Plover {.Egialophilus Asiaticits, ]\illas)
is a very rare irregular spring migrant to the British
Islands, and is found
i'alearctic Region.
inhabiting: the South Central
3IO
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(Bolben plover.
^U/VCi^^
The Golden Plover {Charadrius pluvialis^ Einnaeus) is a
resident species in the British Isles ; it also occurs in
Northern Europe and the western portion of wSiberia,
and is found during winter in Africa. The adult in
summer has the upper parts nearly black, with copious
spots and bars of bright yellow and greyish ; primaries,
black ; bars on tail, brown ; forehead, white ; line above
eye, white ; sides of neck, white ; chin, throat, breast,
and belly, black, fringed with white on lower breast and
abdomen ; axillaries and under tail-coverts, white ; irides,
deep hazel ; bill, legs, and feet, slaty-black. Length, about
ten inches. The female in same plumage resembles male,
but generally shows less black underneath. The young
in first plumage have the breast suffused with yellowish,
and flanks profusely mottled with brown.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 311
(5re? |plovei\
The Grey Plover {Charadrius Helve ficiis, Brisson) is a
common spring and autumn migrant to the British Islands,
occasionally occurring in winter, and is found inhabiting
the Northern Nearctic and Palearctig Regions. The
adult male in summer has the general colour of the upper
plumage whitish, barred with brown and black ; forehead
and eye-stripe, white ; cheeks, lores, throat, breast, upper
abdomen, and axillaries, black ; thighs, vent, and under
tail-coverts, white ; tail, white, barred with brown and
black; primaries, deep brown, with white marks on inner
webs ; irides, hazel ; bill, legs, and feet, blackish. Length,
from ten to twelve inches. The adult female in summer
is duller in colour than the male.
312 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
aeiatic Golden plover.
The Asiatic Golden Plover {Charadrius fulviis^ Gmelin)
is an exceedingly rare abnormal autumn migrant to the
British Isles, and is found inhabiting the North-eastern
Palearctic Region. This plover can be distinguished from
Charadrius pluvialis by being smaller, and having grey
axillaries, those of the latter bird being white.
Hmerican (Bolben iploven
The American Golden Plover {Charadrius fiihus Ameri-
ca?ms, Schlegel) is a very rare irregular autumn migrant to
the British Isles. It also inhabits the Northern Nearctic
Region.
Common Stilt.
The Common Stilt {Himantopiis luelanopterus^ Meyer) is
a rare irregular spring and autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and inhabits the Southern Palearctic and Oriental
Regions. The adult male has the forehead, cheeks, front
and sides of neck, lower portion of back, and under parts,
white, with a blush of pink on the latter ; occiput and nape
of the neck, blackish ; mantle, scapulars, wing-coverts, and
primaries, black, tinged with green ; tail, greyish ; irides,
crimson ; bill, black ; legs and feet, pink. Length, about
thirteen inches. The adult female is said to have the back
brownish. (P. 313.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common Stilt
314 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common Hvocct
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 315
The Common Avocet {Reairvirostra avocetta, Linnaeus)
is a rare spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles,
and inhabits the Southern Palearctic Region and Ethiopian
Region. The adult has the cheeks and neck, and rest of
plumage, white, with the exception of the head, nape, most
part of hind neck, outer scapulars, middle wing-coverts, and
primaries, which are black; irides, chestnut-brown; bill,
black; legs and feet, pale blue. Length, about eighteen
inches. The adult female resembles the adult male, but
the colours are duller. The young have the black parts of
the plumage washed with brown and margined with rusty.
Common Curlew.
The Common Curlew {JVumenius arquatus^ Linnceus) is
a resident bird in the British Isles, moving about locally
according to climatic conditions. It is found in summer
in Northern Europe, and occurs during winter in xA-frica.
The adult in nuptial dress has the prevailing colour of the
upper parts pale brown ; wing-coverts, dull white ; centre of
feathers, dark brown ; primaries, blackish ; lower back and
rump, white, with bold spots of blackish; feathers of tail,
dull white, barred with dark brown ; lower parts, light
brown; abdomen, whitish, and streaked with brown; flanks,
streaked, shaded, and barred with brown; irides, hazel; bill,
dark brown, paler at base ; legs and feet, slate-grey. Length,
about twenty inches. The female is larger than the male ;
the bill is also longer. The young in first plumage are very
similar to adults, but show more rufous, and the markings
beneath are more profuse. (P. 316.)
3i6 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common Curlew,
^,,;.^;,t#¥Afe^i-^'?^^%??'.>c
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
6^i
MbimbrcL
The Whimbrel {^Nunienius pJucopus^ Linnxus) is a summer
visitor to the British Islands, and inhabits Northern
Europe. The adult whimbrel in colouration of plumage
is similar to that of the curlew; but is much smaller
than the latter species, and the crown is dark brown
with a band of pale buftish-white down the centre ;
eye-stripe, lightish ; irides, hazel ; bill, dark brown ; base,
l)eneath, paler; legs and feet, slate-grey. Length, about
seventeen inches. The female, beyond being larger in
size, closely resembles the male. The young in first
plumage have the upper parts marked with buff; streaks
on rump, dark brown.
3i8 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
leehinto Mbimbrel
JOHAf UOMCA/V. ->
The Eskimo Whimbrel {Numenius dorea/is, J. R. Forster)
is an exceedingly rare straggling autumn migrant to the
British Islands, and inhabits the Northern Nearctic Region.
This whimbrel is easily distinguished from Numenius
phceopus by its smaller size, nearly uniform coloured pri-
maries, and the absence of white on the lower portion of
back and rump. Irides, hazel-brown ; bill, deep brown ;
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
19
under mandible, paler at base; legs and feet, brownish-
green. Length, about fourteen inches.
1Rc&:^ncche£) pbalaropc.
The Red-necked Phalarope {Phalaropus hyperboreus, Lin-
naeus) is a summer migrant to the British Islands, but
has not occurred in Ireland. It is also met with in the
Northern Palearctic Region and Nearctic Region. The
adult female in nuptial plumage has the top and sides of
head, nape, hinder portion of neck, and most of upper
parts, dull slate-grey, changing into brown on wings and
rectrices ; scapulars, marked with deep rufous ; greater
wing-coverts, broadly tipped with white ; innermost second-
aries, narrowly tipped with white; upper tail-coverts have
broad white bars ; patch over eye and chin, white ; front of
neck and sides, deep rufous ; middle of breast and upper
breast, slaty-grey; rest of under parts, white; irides, brown;
bill, black ; legs and feet, greyish-olive. Length, about
seven inches. The male is a little less in size and duller
in colouration.
;2o BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
6re? pbalaropc\
The Grey Phalarope {Phalaropus fulicarius, Linnaeus) is
a rare nomadic spring, autumn, and winter migrant to the
British Islands, and inhabits the Circumpolar Region. In
winter it migrates down to the Equator. The adult female
in summer has the head, nape, back, and scapulars, black-
ish, broadly margined with rusty-red ; wing-coverts, blackish ;
margined with white; white transverse bars on wings;
cheeks, white ; tail, dark grey, dusky towards terminal end ;
front of the neck and under parts, chestnut ; irides, dark
brown ; bill, pale orange ; legs, feet, and membranes, which
are lobed, yellow. Length, about eight inches. The adult
male is less in size, and in summer is duller in colour than
the female. The adult in winter lacks the chestnut, the
plumage being black, grey, and white.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
®?6ter (Tatcbcn
The Oyster Catcher {Hamatopus ostra/egKs, Linnceus) is a
resident species in the British Islands, and is met with in
Northern Europe as well as Central Asia. The adult in
summer has the head, neck, upper portion of breast, mantle,
and scapulars, brilliant black ; lesser wing-coverts, also
black ; tail, black ; basal part of latter, white ; greater wing-
coverts, part of secondaries, rum[), and upper tail-coverts,
white; primaries, blackish, marked with white on inner
webs; remainder of plumage, white; irides, crimson; bill,
orange, getting richer in colour towards base ; legs and
feet, pinkish red. Length, about sixteen inches. The
female resembles the male. The young have the upper
parts margined with buflish, and show no white on throat.
21
322
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRuff.
The Ruff (Totatius pugnax, Linnaeus) is a rare summer
migrant to the British Isles, and is also met with in the
Northern Palearctic Region. It occurs in Africa and India
during winter, and occasionally visits North-East America.
This species varies so much in the colouration of the plumage
that a detailed description would not be of very great
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Z^Z
service. The adult male during the nesting season has the
face covered with yellowish warty tubercules. The coloura-
tion consists of brown of various shades — huffish, ochreous;
white, black, glossy reflections of purple, green, etc. By
reference to the plate it will be seen that a ruff of feathers
encircles the face and neck of the male. Length, about
ten or twelve inches. The female, known as the reeve, is
smaller than the male, and has not a ruff at any time.
(lurnatonc.
The Turnstone {Sirepsiias interpres, Linnaeus), which in-
habits the Circumpolar Region, is a common spring and
autumn coasting migrant to the British Isles, and remains
occasionally to winter. The adult male in summer has the
mantle and scapulars rich chestnut, varied irregularly with
black ; forehead, loral region, throat, nape, occiput, and
hind neck, white ; upper tail-coverts, white, marked with
black ; tail, white, with a black band near terminal end ;
crown, black, with whitish margins; patch below eye, and
gorget on lower neck and upper breast, black ; under parts,
white ; irides, dark brown ; bill, blackish ; legs and feet,
rich orange. Length, about nine inches. The adult female
324
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
is duller in colour than the male. The young in first
plumage lack the chestnut which is characteristic of the
adults in summer.
BartranVe Sanbpipci\
JOH4^ Dil/fCAf/:
Bartram's Sandpiper {Toianus Bartrami, Wilson) is an
extremely rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British
Islands, and inhabits the Central Nearctic Region. The
adult in summer has the ground colour of the upper
plumage rufous-brown, mottled and streaked with black
and white ; head, neck, and breast, rusty ; chin, abdomen,
and vent, white; fore-neck, breast, and flanks have arrow-
shaped markings of dark brown ; inner web of first
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
325
primary, white, with black bars; axillaries, white, barred
with brown ; tail, buffish-orange, reddish-brown, and white,
barred with black ; irides, hazel ; bill, yellowish-bufF, darker
at tip ; legs and feet, bufifish.
Length, about twelve inches.
Curlew Sanbpipen
The Curlew Sandpiper {I'ruiga subarquata^ Guldenstadt)
is a common spring and autumn migrant to the British
Isles. It is also met with in the Polar Regions. The
adult in summer has the mantle, neck, and head, chestnut,
barred and streaked with grey and black; upper tail-coverts,
white, with a huffish tinge, and broadly barred with black ;
primaries and tail, ashy-grey, with wliite shafts ; beneath,
chestnut, shading on sides of body and vent to a rusty
colour, with markings of black ; irides, hazel-brown ; bill.
326 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
slightly decurved ; legs, feet, and claws, blackish. Length,
about seven inches. The adult female is a little larger in
size, and has a longer bill.
Spottcb Sanbpipcn
The Spotted Sandpiper {Totanus niacularius^ LinnLi^us) is
an exceptionally rare straggling spring and autumn migrant
to the British Isles, and inhabits the Nearctic Region.
This sandpiper greatly resembles the common sandpiper,
but the latter bird has the eighth and ninth secondaries
nearly white, whilst the spotted sandpiper has all the
secondaries broadly barred with ash-brown.
Wood Sandpiper.
The Wood Sandpiper {Toianus glareola, J. F. Gmelin) is a
rare visitor to the British Isles during migration, only one
instance being recorded of its having nested in the British
Islands. It is also found in most parts of the Palearctic
Region, and in autumn makes southward to Southern
Africa, also India and the Philippine Isles. The adult differs
from the green sandpiper in being smaller, having a shorter
bill and wings and longer legs; upper parts darker, more olive
and more mixed with white about the back; outermost tail-
feathers, white, barred or spotted with brown on outer webs;
axillaries, white, obscurely barred with brown; irides, light
brown ; bill, blackish ; legs and feet, pale dull olive. Length,
about seven inches. The female resembles male. (P. 327.)
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Moob Sanbpiper.
328
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(Brcen Sanbpiper*
The Green Sandpiper (To/amis ochropus^ Linnaeus) is a
spring and autumn migrant to the British Islands, and is
occasionally found in winter. It inhabits the Northern
Palearctic Region. The adult in summer has the general
colour of the upper plumage dusky olive-brown, with streaks
of white on head and neck ; mantle, scapulars, and inner-
most secondaries, spotted with white ; primaries, brownish ;
rump, upper tail-coverts, and outer tail-feathers, white ;
remainder of rectrices, barred with blackish-brown ; under
parts, white, with streaks of brown on neck and chest ;
axillaries, brownish-black, with narrow bars of white ; irides,
dark hazel; bill, blackish; legs and feet, dark greyish,
tinged at the points with green. Length, about eight
inches. The female is like the male.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
329
Common Sanbpiper.
The Common Sandpiper {Tottuius hypoleucus^ Linn?eus) is
a summer migrant to the British Isles, and also inhabits the
Palearctic Region. The adult has the upper parts of a sandy
brown, finely barred, streaked, and marked with zigzag
lines of darker brown ; wings, brown tinged with blackish,
and barred with white ; tail, brownish ; outer pairs of
rectrices, barred with black and tipped with white ; eye-
stripe, chin, and throat, white ; sides of neck and breast,
suffused with pale brownish-greyish streaked with dark
brown; under parts and axillaries, white ; irides, hazel;
bill, blackish-brown ; legs and feet, olive, tinged with grey.
Length, about seven inches. The female is similar to male.
The young show buff margins on the upper feathers, and
streaks on throat arc absent.
330
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
l^ellow^IegQcb Sanbpipen
The Yellow-legged Sandpiper {Totanus flavipes, Gmelin) is
a very rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British Isles,
and inhabits the Northern Nearctic Region. The adult in
nuptial plumage closely resembles the wood sandpiper in
the same stage, but is larger in size, and the former shows
less white on the rump in proportion, and there are indica-
tions of bars at all ages ; bill, black and slender ; legs and
feet, clear yellow. Length, about ten or eleven inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Solitary San&piper.
The Solitary Sandpiper {^lotaiuis solitarius, Wilson) is an
extremely rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British
Islands, and is found inhabiting North America. The
nearest ally to this sandpiper is Totanus ochropus^ but it can
be at once distinguished from the latter by the rumi) and
upper tail-coverts, which are brown, sparingly spotted with
white. Length, about eight inches.
332
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Bonapartc'6 Sanbpipen
'"v./ ^ ' Jou/v Z/u/VCA/V .
Bonaparte's Sandpiper {Tringa fusicolHs, Vieillot) is a rare
straggling autumn migrant to the British Islands, and
inhabits the Northern Nearctic Region. The adult in
summer bears a close resemblance to the dunlin, but can
easily be distinguished from that bird at all stages, the
upper tail-coverts being white, with a few longitudinal
streaks of dusky.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
33.
Ipurpic San&pipci\
The Purple Sand[)ip(jr {Tringa maritiina, Gmelin) is a
fairly common autumn migrant to the British Isles, and
inhabits the Northern Nearctic and Palearctic Regions.
The adult in summer has the upper parts of plumage
blackish, margined with rufous ; some of the feathers have
creamy-white tips ; wings, brownish, with a white band ;
rump, tail-coverts, and two central rectrices, deep brown :
rest of rectrices, grey ; superciliary stripe, whitish ; under
parts, white, with greyish-brown centres to feathers on
breast and flanks ; irides, warm brown ; bill, deep brown ;
base beneath, paler; legs and feet, dull yellow. Length,
about eight inches. The adult in winter has the upper
parts generally of a purplish-black, margined with grey;
head and neck, light greyish-black ; breast and flanks, grey,
margined with white; centre of abdomen, white.
334
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Broab^billeb Sanbpiper.
The Broad-billed Sandpiper {Tringa plaiyrhyncha^ Tem-
minck) is a rare irregular spring and autumn migrant to the
British Isles, and inhabits the Northern Palearctic Region.
The adult in summer has the general colour of the upper
plumage blackish-brown, with chestnut margins to most of
the feathers, with the exception of a few which are margined
with white ; primaries and central rectrices, blackish ; outer
tail-feathers, light ashy-brown ; eye-stripe, neck, breast,
flanks, and under tail-coverts, white, spotted with dark
brown ; remainder of under parts, white ; irides, hazel ;
bill, which is deep brown and lighter beneath, is wide and
flat and high at the upper base ; legs and feet, blackish.
Length, about six inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 335
amcrican pectoral Sanbpipcr,
The American Pectoral Sandpiper (TV/;/^^^? acuininata pec-
ioralis, Say) is a rare straggling autumn migrant to the British
Islands, and inhabits Arctic America, reaching Southern
America in winter. The adult has the upper plumage
deep brown, the feathers having rusty and cream coloured
margins ; secondaries, dusky-black, slightly margined with
white ; upper tail-coverts and two centre rectrices, blackish;
remainder, greyish-brown, tipped with pale ochreous ; face
and throat, dullish white, with streaks of brownish ; upper
breast, whitish, tinged with brown, and closely streaked with
blackish ; under parts, white ; irides, dark hazel-brown ;
bill, orange-brown at base ; tip, dark brown ; legs and feet,
yellowish-brown. Length, about nine inches. The adult
sexes are alike.
33^
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Sibenan pectoral Sanbpipen
The Siberian Pectoral Sandpiper {Tringa acuminata^ Hors-
field) is a very rare abnormal autumn migrant to the British
Isles, and inhabits North-Eastern Siberia.
BufE=*brca6teb Sandpiper.
The Buff-breasted Sandpiper {Tringa ritfescens, Vieillot) is
an exceedingly rare straggling autumn migrant to the British
Islands, and inhabits the Northern Nearctic Region. This
sandpiper can readily be recognised by the under sides
of the primaries and secondaries, which are pure white,
beautifully mottled with dark brown ; the tail is cuneiform,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
337
and the centre rectrices black; remainder, light brown,
enclosed by a zone of black, and edged with white.
Length, about eight inches. The adult sexes are alike in
colouration.
Xittlc stint.
^UUCA-lv
The Little Stint {Trin^a viinuta, Leisler) is a fairly common
coasting migrant in spring and autumn, and inhabits the
North-western Palearctic Region. The adult in summer
has the general colour of the upper parts blackish-brown,
with chestnut margins on the feathers ; the chestnut on
the upper tail-coverts is, however, scarcely discernible ;
primaries, brown ; greater wing-coverts, tipped with white,
forming a white bar across the wings ; two central rectrices,
blackish-brown, narrowly margined with chestnut; rest of
tail-feathers, grey ; under parts, white, tinged with bulT on
the breast, the latter being faintly spotted with brown ;
irides, hazel; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, between
five and six inches.
22
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
american Stint.
The American Stint {Tringa subminuta miniitilla^ Vieillot)
is an exceedingly rare straggling autumn migrant to the
British Isles, and inhabits the Northern Nearctic Region.
This stint closely resembles the little stint in colouration of
plumage, and is considered by some naturalists to be merely
a local race of Trinm minuta.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
339
^cmminclVe Stint
Temminck's Stint {Tri?iga Tenuniiicki^ Leisler) is a rare
spring and autumn migrant to tlie British Isles, and
inhabits the Northern Palearctic Region. The adult in
nuptial plumage has, as a rule, the general colour of the
upper parts greyish-brown, several of the feathers more
or less deep brown, barred and edged irregularly with
creamy chestnut ; axillaries, white ; primaries, brown ;
greater wing-coverts, tipped with white ; four central
rectrices, deep brown ; remainder, white ; throat and breast,
creamy brown, streaked with brownish ; under parts,
white ; iridcs, hazel ; bill, blackish ; legs and feet, greyish-
brown. Length, about five inches.
340 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Sanberling,
The Sanderling {Tringa arenaria, Linnaeus) is a common
coasting autumn migrant to the British Isles, and inhabits
the Northern Nearctic and Palearctic Regions. The adult
in summer plumage has the feathers of back and scapulars,
rufous, with patches and spots of black; primaries, blackish;
greater wing-coverts, blackish-brown, tipped and margined
with white ; forehead and crown, black, with light rufous
and white margins to the feathers ; cheeks, neck, and
upper breast, light chestnut, spotted with deep brown ;
rest of under parts, white; irides, hazel; bill, legs, and
feet, black. Length, between seven and eight inches.
The sanderling has no hind toe. The winter plumage
is greyish on the upper parts and white below.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
341
Bunlin*
The Dunlin {Triiiga alpina, Linnceus) is a resident species
in this country, and is also found inhabiting the Palearctic
Region and some portions of the Nearctic Region. The
adult in summer has the feathers on the crown of the head
black, with chestnut margins ; chin, white ; fore-part of
neck and breast, greyish-white, streaked with dark brown ;
abdomen, black ; remainder of under parts, white ; hind
part of neck, mantle, and scapulars, black, broadly margined
with chestnut ; greater coverts, with white tips ; wings and
tail, greyish-brown, central pair of rectrices, darker ; irides,
hazel ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, from six to seven
inches. The female is the same as the male in colouration,
but a trifle larger in size.
342
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
1knot
The Knot {Tringa caimiiis^ Linnaeus) is a fairly common
migrant to our shores in spring and autumn. It is supposed
to breed on all suitable places in the North Polar Basin.
The adult in summer has the feathers of the mantle varie-
gated with black, chestnut, and white; crown and neck,
reddish-brown, streaked with darker ; tail-coverts, white with
bars of black ; sides of head, throat, and breast, chestnut ;
remainder of under parts, whitish, with black mottlings ;
irides, brown ; bill, legs, and feet, blackish. Length, about
nine inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
343
1Rct)6bank,
The Redshank {Toiaiiiis calidris, Linnceus) is a resident in
tiie British Isles. It also inhabits the Palearctic Region,
but wends its way to Africa to pass the winter. The adult
in summer is pale brown on the upper parts, streaked
profusely and barred with umber ; secondaries, nearly
white ; rump, white flecked with dusky; rectrices, white,
with blackish bars, central pairs tinged with light brown ;
under parts, white, streaked on the neck and breast, and
344
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
with bars of umber on flanks ; irides, hazel ; bill, orange ;
tip, black ; legs and feet, orange-red. Length, about eleven
inches.
2)U6h^ IRebabanJ^.
The Dusky Redshank {Totanus fiiscus, Linnaeus) is a rare
spring and autumn migrant to the British Islands, and also
occurs occasionally in winter. It inhabits the Northern
Palearctic Region. The adult in summer has the upper
parts of body blackish-brown, with white triangular spots
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
345
upon tips and margins ; the head and neck, brownish-black,
tinged with grey; primaries, dusky black; rump and tail,
white, the latter barred closely with blackish ; under parts,
brownish-black, washed with grey; the feathers on breast
and abdomen, edged finely with white ; irides, hazel ; bill,
black; base beneath, orange-red; legs and feet, orange,
tinged with brown. Length, about twelve inches. The
adult female shows more white on the under plumage than
the male.
6rcen6banft-
The eirecnshank {lotanus g/ol/is, Linnaeus) is a summer
migrant to the British Islands, although it is said that a few
remain in Ireland during the winter. It is also found
inhabiting the Northern Palearctic Region. The adult in
summer has the mantle and secondaries black, some of
the feathers with greyish margins ; quills, blackish ; rump.
34<5
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
white ; tail, white, barred and mottled with brownish ;
head and neck, white, tinged with grey and streaked with
blackish-brown ; wing-coverts, deep brown ; breast, upper
part of belly and flanks, white, spotted and streaked with
greyish-brown ; irides, hazel ; bill, black ; legs and feet,
olive. Length, about thirteen inches. The female has the
upper parts less conspicuously marked than the male. The
young have the feathers on back margined with tawny, and
chest and flanks pencilled finely with dark grey.
ffilacMailcb (Bobwit
The Black-tailed Godwit {Limosa i)ielami?-a, I>eisler) is one
of our regular spring and autumn coasting migrants to the
British Islands, and is found inhabiting the Western Pale-
arctic Region. The adult male in nuptial garb has the
crown reddish-brown, with streaks of black ; forehead,
superciliary stripe, and chin, whitish ; cheeks, throat, and
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
347
breast, chestnut, the latter barred with blackish ; back and
scapulars, blackish-brown ; feathers, barred and margined
with chestnut; wings, deep brown, with a plainly defined
white bar ; tail, white at base, black at terminal end ;
abdomen, whitish, with bars of dark brown ; irides, hazel-
brown ; bill, deep brown, orange at base ; legs and feet,
black. Length, between eighteen and nineteen inches.
The adult female in summer is larger than the male, and
the colouration is much duller.
Baivtaileb (Bobwit*
The Bar-tailed Godwit {Liniosa rufa, Brisson) is a common
spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles, occurring
also in winter. It inhabits the Northern and Western
348
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Palearctic Regions. The adult male in summer can readily
be distinguished from the Black-tailed Godvvit by the tail-
feathers, which are whitish and barred with brown. The
adult female, which is larger than the male, also has the
bars on the tail. Length, about fifteen inches. The young
in first plumage have the tail barred.
Moobcocft.
':£o/^c^fy --^
The Woodcock {Scolopax rusiicola^ Linnaeus) is a partial
resident, nesting sparingly in various parts of the British
Isles ; it also breeds in the temperate portions of the Pale-
arctic Region. The adult has the fore part of crown
ashy-brown ; hinder part and nape, pale chestnut, broadly
barred with black bands ; remainder of upper parts variegated
with rufous, ash, grey, and brown ; chin, white ; general
colour of under parts, greyish-buff, barred with brown ;
irides, deep brown ; bill, legs, and feet, dull flesh colour.
Length, about fourteen inches. The adult female resembles
the male. The young also closely resemble the adults.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
349
(Breat Snipe.
- o^^v^"x^x7^;::3
N..^ V^
The Great Snipe {Scolopax major, Gmelin) is a rare ab-
normal spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles, and
inhabits the Western Palearctic Region. The adult bears a
close resemblance to the common snipe in colouration of
plumage, but can always be distinguished from that bird by
the number of tail-feathers, which in the latter are fourteen,
whilst in Scolopax major the number is sixteen. The great
snipe is also a little larger, measuring from eleven to twelve
inches. The young in first plumage closely resemble
adults.
350
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common Snipe,
The Common Snipe {Scolopax gallinago^ Linnaeus) is a
resident in the British Isles, and is also found inhabiting
the Palearctic Region. The adult has the crown of head
dark brown, divided by a light ochreous streak running
through the centre ; lores, dark brown ; eye-stripe, pale
yellowish ; remainder of upper parts, cream-yellow, barred,
mottled, and otherwise marked with white and shades of
brown ; secondaries, tipped with white ; chin, white ; throat
and breast, light brown, with markings of dusky-brown ;
abdomen, white ; sides, barred with dusky ; tail consists
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
351
of fourteen feathers ; irides, hazel ; bill, light brown, darker
at tip; legs and feet, brownish. Length, between ten
and eleven inches. The female is similar to the male in
colouration. The young show more uniformity in coloura-
tion of the upper parts.
3ach Snipe.
The Jack Snipe {Scolopax gallinula^ Linnceus) is a com-
mon autumn and winter migrant to the British Islands,
and inhabits the Northern Palearctic Region. The adult
in colouration of plumage is very similar to the common
snipe, but it is smaller in size, and has only twelve feathers
in the tail. Hence it is easily distinguishable from Scolopax
galUnago. Length, about eight inches. The adults of both
sexes are alike in colouration.
352
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IReb^breaeteb Snipe.
The Red-breasted Snipe {Ereimetes griseus, Gmelin) is
a rare straggling autumn migrant to the British Islands,
and inhabits the North Central Nearctic Region. The
adult in summer has the upper back and scapulars black,
the feathers margined and varied with light reddish-brown
and white; lower back, rump, and rectrices white, with
transverse bars of black ; crown, blackish-brown, margined
with light reddish-brown ; lores, brownish ; superciliary
stripe and chin, white, suffused with chestnut-buff; shaft
of first primary feathers, white ; front neck, breast, and
flanks, light bufifish-chestnut, spotted and barred with deep
brown ; centre of abdomen, whitish ; irides, hazel ; bill,
deep brown ; legs and feet, olive-brown. Length, about
ten inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
;53
Sreat Sftua.
The Great Skua {Stercorarius cafarrhactes, Linnaeus) is
only known, whilst resident with us, to nest in the Shet-
lands, and is mostly met with on its way to and from more
northern districts during autumn and winter. It also
occurs in North-West Europe, and in the eastern parts of
Arctic America. The adult has the general colouration of
the plumage dark brown, with rufous or greyish margins
to the feathers ; basal portion of quills, white ; irides, hazel-
brown; bill, black; legs and feet, slate-black. Length, from
twenty-two to twenty-five inches. The female is similar to
the male. The young are said to be more uniform in
colour than the adults.
23
354
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
BuffoiV6 Skua.
^" 3» '"^^ -^'"" """"""^
^NS^
Buffon's Skua {^Ster cor arms Buffo7ii^ Boie) is a rather rare
nomadic autumn and spring migrant to the British Islands,
and inhabits the Northern Nearctic and Palearctic Regions.
The adult has the upper plumage mostly brownish-grey;
crown and nape, blackish; throat, white, tinged with yellow,
the latter colour extending to the sides of the neck and
across the lower ear-coverts to the nape ; primaries, dark
brown; central rectrices (much elongated, narrow, and
pointed), blackish; under parts, mostly white; flanks and
under tail-coverts, brownish-grey; irides, brown; legs,
yellowish-grey; feet, black; bill, deep horn colour. Length,
from tip of bill to end of longest tail-feathers, about twenty-
three inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
.55
1Ricbarb60iV6 Q\\x\n.
Jo>-t^ Uiy^CMfs/
Richardson's Skua {Stercorarius Richardsoni\ Swainson)
is one of our summer migrants. It inhabits both the
Northern Palearctic Region and the Nearctic Region.
The adult has the upper parts mostly of a slaty-grey ; neck,
tinged with yellowish-buff; beneath, white; sides of belly,
lower portion of latter, and under tail-coverts, tinged with
brownish-grey; central tail-feathers, elongated and reaching
considerably beyond the ends of wing quills, the latter
having white shafts at all ages; irides, hazel; bill, greyish;
tip, black; legs and feet, black. Length, from twenty to
twenty-one inches. The female is similar to the male, but
the two central rectrices are not so long. The young after
the first moult have the basal half of feet yellow.
356
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
pomatorbinc Shua.
JOHAf I?(//VCAA/.
The Poniatorhine Skua {Stercorarms pomatorhmus, Tem-
minck) is a more or less common autumn and spring
coasting migrant to the British Isles, examples occasion-
ally being met with in winter. It inhabits the Northern
Nearctic and Palearctic Regions. This skua varies
considerably in the colouration of the plumage. There
is a light and dark variety, neither of which appears to
be influenced by sex or age. The adult of the light form
has the upper plumage mostly dark brown ; the two central
rectrices reaching about four inches beyond the others, and
twisted upwards ; crown, black ; neck, white, tinged with
buffish-yellow ; breast, dullish white ; lower belly and under
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
357
tail-coverts, brown ; irides, brown : bill, deep horn colour ;
tip, black ; legs and feet, black. Length, about twenty-one
inches.
IRittiwafte.
Hf?^r
J !^. JO^/^ JJUA/C.
The Kittiwake {Lanes tridactyhts, Linnoeus) is a resident
in the British Isles. It is also met with in the Northern
Palearctic Region, as well as the North-east Nearctic
Region. The adult in nuptial dress has the mantle and
wings pale bluish-grey; head, neck, under parts, and tail,
white; secondaries, with white tips; outer primaries on
terminal portions, black; irides, hazel; bill, greenish-yellow;
legs and feet, brownish dusky-green ; hind toe absent at
all times. Length, from fifteen to sixteen inches. The
female is similar to the male. The young in first plumage
have the crown and nape deep grey, and the feathers on
the back are margined with brown.
358 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IbciTino (5ulL
John Dua/ca/V
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 359
The Herring Gull {Larus argentatus^ Gmelin) is a resident
in the British Islands, and is also found on the Northern
and Western European coasts, and upon the eastern
portions of the Nearctic shores. The adult in summer
has the mantle, scapulars, and wing-coverts, light French
grey ; secondaries, tipped with white ; primaries, mostly
black on outer webs of the first two ; inner webs, grey
on the half towards the base; the first with a rounded
triangular-shaped mark of white at the end; second and
third, similar, but less in size ; remainder of plumage,
snowy white ; irides, pale yellow ; bill, bright yellow ; angle
of lower mandible, red ; legs and feet, flesh colour. Length,
from twenty-one to twenty-five inches. The female is
similar to the male. The young in first plumage have
the general colour composed of white, greyish-white, and
browns of various shades.
Great Black-backed Gull.
The Great Black-backed Gull {Larus marinus^ Linncxus) is
a resident species, which is more widely dispersed through-
out the British Isles in winter than during the breeding
season. It is also met with in most parts of Northern
Europe, as well as North-Eastern America. The adult in
summer is similar in colouration to the Lesser Black-backed
Gull, but its larger size and flesh-coloured feet at once
distinguishes from the latter species. Length, about thirty
inches. The female is similar in colouration to the male,
but is a little less in size. The young have the colours of
plumage composed of greyish-white, greyish-brown, and
huffish, similar to Larus fuscus and Lams argentatus ; but
the larger size is sufficient to define the species. (P. 360.)
36o BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
6rcat Blacft=bacfteJ) (BulL
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
361
Xcsaer a5Iach:^bache£) (BulL
The Lesser Black-backed Gull {Lams fuscus^ Linn^us)
is a resident in the British Isles, but subject to much local
movement after the nesting season. This gull is also found
inhabiting most parts of Europe and North Africa. The
adult in summer has the mantle and wings dark slate;
innermost secondaries and longest scapulars, with white
tips ; quills black, tipped with white ; remainder of plumage,
pure white ; irides, light yellow ; bill, yellow, angle of lower
mandible, red; legs and feet, rich yellow. Length, from
eighteen to twenty-three inches. The female is a little
less than the male. The young are similar to immature
examples of Lanes argentaius^ but the general colouration
of the upper parts is darker.
362 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common (5ulL
uoH/y Du.vcAN
The Common Gull {Lams amus^ Linnaeus) is one of our
resident gulls in the British Isles, but moves about a great
deal during the non-nesting season. It also occurs in the
Northern Palearctic Region. The adult in breeding dress
has the back, wings, and coverts, pearl-grey; secondaries,
broadly bordered and tipped with white ; primaries, mostly
black, with white spots or tips ; remainder of plumage,
pure white ; irides, hazel ; bill, yellow at tip ; base,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
36:
greenish ; legs and feet, greenish-yellow. Length, about
eighteen inches. The female is similar to the male, but is
a little less in size. The young have the upper parts more
or less marked with greyish-brown, dull brown, and greyish;
primaries, dusky-brown ; tail at terminal end, banded with
dusky-brown.
Blacft^beabeb (Bull
- - JOM/J Du/VCAfT^
The Black-headed Gull {Lams ridibundus, Linnceus) is
another resident species in the British Islands, and, like
many other of our resident gulls, is subject to much local,
also southern movement after the nesting season. It is
also met with in the temperate parts of Europe and Asia.
The adult in summer plumage has the mantle and wing-
coverts pearl-grey; quills, marked with white in centre, and
364
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
both webs margined with blackish; head and upper part of
neck, dark brown; rest of plumage, white; irides, hazel;
bill, feet, and legs, coral-red. Length, about sixteen inches.
The female is similar to the male. The young have the
upper parts more or less brownish, with paler tips to the
feathers; tail, at terminal end, broadly banded with blackish.
(Breat Blach-beabeb (5iUL
JOHN Iju/vcaa^.
Great Black-headed Gull {Larus ichihyaetus^ Pallas) is an
exceedingly rare abnormal spring migrant to the British
Isles. It inhabits the South Central Palearctic Region and
North-eastern Ethiopian Region. The adult in breeding
plumage is described as having the head deep black ; mantle
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
365
and wing-coverts, dark grey; secondaries, tipped broadly
with white; first quill, white, with a narrow band of black
on outer web and a patch of black on inner web; next
three primaries, with subterminal bars of black and white
tips; remainder of plumage, white; a small white patch
behind the eye; irides, deep brown; bill, rich yellow, black
and red at the angle; legs and feet, greenish-yellow; webs,
orange. Length of male, about twenty-seven inches.
flDeMtcrrancan 5BlacJ^*beabc& (BiUL
The Mediterranean Black-headed Gull {Lams inelafio-
cephaliis, Natterer) is an exceptionally rare abnormal winter
migrant to the British Isles, and inhabits the South-western
Palcarctic Region. The adult in summer has the head
black; secondaries and wing-coverts, pearl-grey; primaries,
white, excepting the first quill, which has a black line on
outer web; rest of plumage, white; irides, brown; bill,
366
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
coral-red, and with a dark band in front of the angle; legs,
brownish. Length, about seventeen inches. The adult in
winter has the head streaked with dark brown.
Bonaparte'6 (BiUL
Bonaparte's Gull {Lams Philadelphia^ Ord) is an ex-
tremely rare straggling winter and spring migrant to the
British Islands, and is found inhabiting the Northern
Nearctic Region. The adult in summer has the mantle
pearl-grey ; hood, greyish-black ; primary coverts, white ;
primaries, tipped with white ; plumage otherwise similar
to Lams ridibuiidus ; bill, black. Length, about fourteen
inches. The adult in winter is said to have the head nearly
white.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
367
Xittle (5uIL
^5^c.
The Little Gull {Lams minutus^ Pallas) is a comparatively
rare autumn and winter migrant to the British Islands, and
inhabits the Northern Palearctic Region. The adult in
summer has the whole head black ; back, wings, and
coverts, pearl-grey ; axillaries, greyish ; under parts of
wings, brownish-black ; primaries, tipped broadly with
white ; remainder of plumage, white, with a rosy flush on
breast ; irides, hazel-brown ; bill, deep red ; legs and feet,
bright red. Length, from ten to eleven inches. The
adults in winter have the head white, with marks of grey
on the nape. The young in first plumage are more or
less marked with blackish, grey, and white ; tail, white ;
terminal end with a broad band of black.
368
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Sabine's (BulL
Sabine's Gull {Xema Sabini, J. Sabine) is a rare nomadic
autumn migrant to the British Isles, and inhabits the
Northern Nearctic and Palearctic Regions. The adult in
summer has the head and nape dark slate ; a narrow black
collar round the neck ; mantle, scapulars, and most of
wing-coverts, slate-grey ; primaries, black, with white on
the outer half of the inner webs, and tipped with white ;
tail, white, and forked ; rest of plumage, white ; irides,
dark hazel ; bill, black at base ; bright red at tip ; legs
and feet, slaty-black. Length, about fourteen or fifteen
inches. The young in first plumage are more or less
greyish, white, and black ; tail, tipped with black.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 369
1RO60'0 6ull.
Ross's Gull {Rhodostethia rosea, Macgillivray) is an ex-
ceptionally rare straggling winter migrant to the British
Isles, and inhabits the Polar Regions. The adult in
summer plumage has the head and neck nearly white, the
latter encircled with a narrow black collar ; remainder of
upper plumage, pearl-grey, changing into white on the tips
of greater wing-coverts and secondaries ; outer web of first
quill feather, black ; tail, white and cuneated ; under parts,
white, tinged with rose colour on breast and abdomen ;
irides, hazel; bill, black; legs and feet, bright red. Length,
about thirteen inches. The adults in winter lack the black
collar,
24
370
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
(5Iaucou6 (BulL
-^-^if^ Joh;iJ Buncan
The Glaucous Gull {Larus glaucus^ Fabricius) is an irre-
gular straggling winter migrant to the British Isles, and is
found inhabiting the Northern Nearctic and Palearctic
Regions. The adult does not differ to any great extent
from the Iceland Gull, but it is larger in size, and the pro-
portionably shorter wings only reach a little beyond the
tail, whilst those of the Iceland Gull extend considerably
beyond the end of the tail-feathers. Length, about thirty-
two inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
37i
3celanb (Bull,
The Iceland Gull {Larus leucopterus^ Faber) is a rare
straggling autumn and winter migrant to the British Isles,
and is found inhabiting the Northern Nearctic Region.
The adult in summer has the mantle and wing-coverts pale
grey; remainder of plumage, white; irides, light yellow;
bill, yellow, red at the angle beneath ; legs and feet, pinkish
flesh tint. Length, about twenty-two inches. The adult in
winter has the head and neck streaked with grey. The
young have the upper plumage creamy-white, more or less
varied with light brown markings.
372 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
3vor? (5ulL
The Ivory Gull {Fagophila eburnea, Phipps) is a rare no-
madic autumn and winter migrant to the British Islands,
and is found inhabiting the Circumpolar Regions. The
adult has the whole of the plumage pure white ; irides,
deep brown; bill, greenish -grey, tip, yellow; legs and feet,
black. Length, from sixteen to eighteen inches. The
young in first plumage are described as being nearly of
a uniform ashy-grey.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
373
Sanbwicb ^ern.
The Sandwich Tern {S/er?ia cantiaca^ Gmelin) is a summer
visitor to the British Isles, and is also found inhabiting
most parts of temperate Europe and Northern Africa, as well
as South-Western Asia. The adult in summer has the fore-
head, crown, and occipital feathers, rich black; back and
wings, pearl-grey; tips of secondaries and upper quills, nearly
white ; fore part of breast and under parts, tinged with
delicate pink ; upper and under tail-coverts and tail, white
and forked ; bill, black, tipped with pale yellow ; legs and
feet, black. Length, about fifteen inches. The female is
shorter in the tail, and shows less pink on breast. The
young are pale brown above, varied with black ; primaries
greyish-black, margined and tipped with white.
374
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRoeeatc Zcvn.
-pUf/C^f
The Roseate Tern {^Sterna Dougalli, Montagu) was at one
time a fairly numerous summer visitor to the British
Islands. This tern is found in most parts of the tem-
perate and tropical regions of the two hemispheres. The
adult in summer plumage has the back and wings pearly-
grey; upper tail -coverts, tinged with grey; outer web of
first primary feather, black; remainder, greyish; whole of
inner webs with a streak of greyish next the shaft; other
portions of quills, white; tail, greyish-white and forked, the
outside feathers reaching about three inches beyond
primaries ; forehead, crown, and occiput, rich black ; re-
mainder of plumage, white, tinged on breast with a rosy
hue ; irides, dark hazel ; bill, red, towards tip, black ; legs
and feet, red. Length, from fifteen to seventeen inches.
The female resembles the male.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
375
Common ^crit.
S ^^^^=;_-r— ~ ^0/VCA-/V -^
The Common Tern {Siema hinindo, Linnaeus) is one of
our summer visitors to the British Isles, and is found in
most parts of the Palearctic Region, as well as the eastern
portions of North America. The adult in nuptial plumage
has the mantle and wings pearl-grey; crown and nape,
black; rump and tail, white, longest tail-feathers, grey on
outer margins ; under parts, greyish on breast and belly ;
irides, dark brown ; bill and legs, deep orange red, blending
on the former into blackish towards the tip. Length, from
thirteen to fifteen inches. The female is similar to the
male. The young have the crown and nape mottled with
brownish ; the mantle is mottled with greyish. This tern
can readily be distinguished from Sterna Arctica by its
longer tarsi.
376
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
arctic Zcvn.
The Arctic Tern (S/erna Arctica^ Temminck) is a summer
migrant to the British Islands. It is also found nesting
in the Circumpolar Region, moving in autumn southward
along the coasts of the Atlantic to Africa. The adult in
summer resembles to a great exten-t Sterna hirundo in
colouration of plumage, but the upper parts are darker,
and the tarsi are much shorter. The bill is uniform coral-
red. Length, about fifteen inches. The female is a shade
less in size.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
377
Xe66cr ^ern.
The Lesser Tern {Sterfui minuta, Linnaeus) is one of our
late summer migrants to the British Islands. It is also
an inhabitant of the Palearctic Region, ranging eastwards
to North India. The adult in summer plumage has the
back and wings light grey; quills, deeper in colouration,
and having white margins on inner webs ; forehead, white ;
rump and tail, white ; crown of head, lores, and nape,
black ; remainder of plumage, white ; irides, dark brown ;
bill, black at tip, deep yellow at base ; legs and feet, orange.
Length, from eight to nine inches. The female is similar
to the male. The young have the upper parts mottled
with blackish-brown ; bill, legs, and feet, brownish.
37S BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Caepian ZTern.
OohN -Duncan _ - ^^'^N^^S'^^fe^^'^^^'"! 'I'U''^
The Caspian Tern {^Sterna Caspia, Pallas) is a rare ab-
normal spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles, and
is found inhabiting the temperate and tropical zones. The
adult in summer has the crown and nape of the neck rich
black ; upper parts and tail, which is slightly forked, pearl-
grey; primaries, brownish, >vashed with grey; sides of the
head, front of neck, and rest of under parts, white ; irides,
dark hazel; bill, vermilion; legs and feet, black. Length,
from nineteen to twenty-one inches. The forehead and
crown of the adult in winter is white, streaked with black ;
behind the ear-coverts there is a dark patch. The young
in first plumage have ashy-brown mottlings on the upper
parts ; forehead and crown, white ; under parts, white.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 379
(5uU=billeb TLcvn.
c/o/VA^a/YCAyV,
The Gull-billed Tern {Sterna a7igUca^ Montagu) is a rare
straggling spring and autumn migrant to the British Isles.
It inhabits the Southern Palearctic and Nearctic Regions.
The adult male in nesting plumage has the forehead, crown,
and back part of the neck, rich deep black ; upper parts,
pearl-grey; primaries, greyish; under parts, white; irides,
brown ; bill, stout and black ; legs and feet, black. Length,
from fourteen to fifteen inches. The adult in winter has
the forehead and crown white, with grey streaks ; ear-
coverts, patched with grey. The young on upper parts are
more or less marked with various shades of brown ; under
parts, white ; legs and feet, brownish.
38o BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Soot^ Zcm.
^v Di//yc^^
The Sooty Tern {Sterna fidigiiwsa^ Gmelin) is a very rare
straggling autumn migrant to the British Islands, and is
found inhabiting the Oceanic tropical zone. The adult has
the crown, lores, and nape, black; forehead and sides of the
neck, white ; back, scapulars, wings, and remainder of upper
plumage, mostly black; outer webs of the two elongated
outer rectrices, white; under parts, white ; irides, hazel ;
bill, legs, and feet, blackish. Length, about sixteen inches.
The young are darker on the upper parts, with lightish tips
to most of the feathers ; under parts, brownish.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
381
IRobb^ Zcvn.
JoHri DuncAf^
The Noddy Tern {A?ious stolidus^ Linnaeus) is an exceed-
ingly rare irregular autumn migrant to the British Islands,
and is found inhabiting the Oceanic tropical zone. The
adult has the general colouration of the plumage dark-
brown, with a patch of grey on the forehead and crown ;
the tail is graduated. Length, about sixteen inches.
382
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Mbi6ftere£) ^ern.
The Whiskered Tern {^Hydrochelidon hybrida^ Pallas) is an
exceedingly rare abnormal spring and autumn migrant to
the British Isles. It inhabits the Southern Palearctic and
Oriental Regions, wintering in South Africa, and eastward
has occurred as far south as Australia. The adult in breed-
ing plumage has the head and nape of neck black ; upper
parts, lightish-grey; sides of face, chin, throat, and tail,
white; under wing-coverts, white; chest, light grey; belly
and flanks, blackish; irides, dark hazel; bill, deep red;
legs and feet, bright red. Length, about eleven inches.
The adult in winter has the forehead white; crown, mottled
with white; under plumage, white. The young in first
plumage have the feathers of upper parts margined with
reddish.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
!83
Blacft ^ern.
The Black Tern {Hydrochelidon nigra^ Linnaeus) is a fairly
regular spring and autumn coasting migrant to the British
Isles, and inhabits the South-western Palearctic Region.
The adult in summer has the head and neck deep slate-
grey ; crown and nape, blackish; under wing-coverts, light
grey; upper parts and tail, dark bluish-grey, the latter
forked ; throat, breast, and abdomen, deep slate-grey ; vent
and under tail-coverts, white; irides, dark hazel; bill, black;
legs and feet, deep reddish-brown. Length, about ten
inches. The adult in winter has the crown, nape, fore-
head, cheeks, throat, and front neck, white ; remainder of
plumage, as in summer.
384
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
mbxtc^mwQC^ BlacR Zcvn,
'U; ^v/vCA/y/^, \y
The White -winged Black Tern (^Hydrochelidon kucoptera,
Meisner and Schinz) is a rare irregular spring and autumn
migrant to the British Isles, and inhabits the Southern
Palearctic Region. The adult in summer has the head,
crown, neck, nape, and back, rich shining black ; lesser
wing-coverts and shoulders, white; greater wing-coverts
and secondaries, grey ; axillaries, black ; upper tail-coverts
and tail, white ; quills, blackish, tinged with grey ; under
parts, black ; vent, white ; irides, dark hazel ; bill, red ; legs
and feet, reddish-orange. Length, about nine inches.
After the autumn moult the head and neck of this tern
are white, marked on the nape with black ; mantle, slate-
grey : under wing-coverts, greyish ; rest of under parts,
white.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common (Buillemot.
385
The Common Guillemot ( Uria troile^ Linnaeus) is a well-
known resident in the British Islands, and is also met with
on the northern coasts of Europe and the North Atlantic.
The adult in nuptial plumage has the head, neck, chin,
throat, and remainder of upper parts, blackish-brown,
sometimes tinged with greyish ; secondaries, tipped with
white ; under parts, white ; irides, brown ; bill,^ blackish ;
legs and feet, black ; webs of an olive tinge. Length,
about eighteen inches. The female is the same in colour
as the male, but is a trifle less in size. The young have
shorter bills, and the legs are paler.
25
386
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
1Ringe& (Suillemot.
The Ringed Guillemot {Uria lacrymans, Macgillivray) is
generally conceded to be merely a variety of the common
guillemot. It is readily distinguished by having a white
ring round the eye, and also a white streak behind it.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
387
Brunniciya (Buillemot
Brunnich's Guillemot (^Uria Bru?imchi\ Sabine) is an
extremely rare nomadic autumn migrant to the British
Islands, and is found inhabiting the Circumpolar Region.
The adult closely resembles the common guillemot in the
colouration of the plumage, but can be distinguished from
the latter by the short and stout bill, which has horn-
coloured lines on the upper mandible, reaching on each
side from the gape to the nostrils.
388
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Blach (Buillcmot
The Black Guillemot {^Uria grylle, Linnaeus) is a resident
in the British Isles, but moves about a great deal after nest-
ing time. It also frequents the islands and coasts of the
North Atlantic. The adult male in summer has the whole
of the plumage black, with the exception of a large patch of
white on the wing-coverts ; irides, hazel ; bill, black ; legs
and feet, bright red. Length, from twelve to fourteen
inches. The female is similar to the male. The young
have the wing-patch marked with brown, and show brown
on the head and neck ; legs and feet, dark brown.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
389
Xittle Huft.
\7^'^ A/O^
The Little Auk {Mergulus alk, Linnceus) is an irregular
straggling autumn and winter migrant to the British Islands,
and inhabits the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean basins.
The adult in summer has the head, chin, throat, and upper
parts, mostly glossy black; a small white spot over each
eye ; some scapulars margined, and secondaries tipped, with
white; under parts, below upper breast, also white; irides,
hazel; bill, blackish; legs and feet, fleshy-brown; toes,
lighter. Length, about eight inches. The winter plumage
of the adult is similar to the summer plumage, except that
the throat and chest are white. The young lack the white
39°
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
spots over the eyes, and the white on the scapulars, and the
black parts are more sooty.
puffitt.
The Puffin {Frafercnia Arctica, Linnseus) is a resident in
the British Isles, and it also inhabits the coasts and islands
of the North Atlantic. The adult male in summer has the
forehead, crown, occiput, upper parts, and a broad collar
round the neck, black ; primaries, dark brown ; cheeks and
chin, white, tinged with ashy-grey ; remainder of plumage,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
391
white ; irides, greyish ; bill, pale slate at base ; centre,
yellow ; tip, orange-red ; legs and feet, orange. Length,
from eleven to twelve inches. The female is similar to the
male, but the bill is not so much developed. The young
are duller in colouration, and show more grey on cheeks.
IRasorbilL
~. ' JON/^ Z"l/\'CA//.
The Razorbill {AIca iorda, Linnaeus) is a widely and
commonly distributed resident species in the British Isles,
and also inhabits most of the Palcarctic and also the
392 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES
Nearctic Regions. The adult male in breeding plumage
has the whole of the upper parts black, tinged in places with
green; secondaries, tipped with white; a pure white Hne
runs from the eye to the top of the bill; remainder of
plumage, white; irides, dark hazel; bill, black, with a white
band across the centre on both sides; legs and feet, blackish.
Length, about seventeen inches. The female is like the
male. In the young the white line in the front of the eye
is scarcely discernible, and the white bands on the bill are
absent.
<5reat Uuk.
( See frontispiece. )
The Great Auk {Alca inipeimis^ Linnaeus), which is now
undoubtedly an extinct species, formerly inhabited the North
Atlantic basin. The adult has the general colour of the
plumage similar to that of the razorbill, but its large size,
and the oval patch of white reaching from the eye to the
base of the bill, at once furnishes a means of identification.
Length, about thirty-two inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
193
IfiUmar pctrcL
xJOHf^ JDUf^CM. Y
394 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
( See preceding page. )
The Fulmar Petrel {Fulniarus glacialis, Linnseus) is a resident
in the British Isles, and is also found in the Arctic and
Sub-Arctic Regions of the North Atlantic. The adult male
has the back, upper part of wings, and tail, pearl-grey; quills,
dusky; remainder of plumage, white; irides, brown; bill,
greenish-yellow ; legs and feet, light grey. Length, from
nineteen to twenty inches. The female resembles the male.
The young in first plumage are similar to the adults, but
are a trifle less in size. This species is subject to variation
in the colour of the plumage.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
395
(Eappcb Ipctrel
John Dua/ca/v
The Capped Petrel {(Estrelata hcesitata, Kuhl) is a very
rare irregular migrant to the British Islands, and is supposed
to inhabit the South Atlantic. The adult has the crown of
the head and nape, black; upper parts, deep brown; fore-
head, cheeks, neck, rump, and upper tail-coverts, white ;
central rectrices, mostly blackish, with the basal part more
or less white and edged broadly with brown ; under plumage,
white; bill, black; legs and feet, dull yellowish. Length,
about sixteen inches.
396
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Cape ipetreL
jOMti Dun c Ah/
The Cape Petrel {Daptioii capense, Linnaeus), a very
rare straggler to the British Isles, is found inhabiting
the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean. This
petrel can readily be identified by the sooty-coloured head,
the variegated dusky and white of the upper plumage, and
the pure white of the under parts.
Collaret) petrel
The Collared Petrel {Estrelata torquata, Macgillivray) is a
very rare abnormal migrant to the British Islands.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
397
Bulwer'0 petrcL
Bulwer's Petrel {Biihveria coIinnbi?ia, jMoquin-Tandon) is
a very rare abnormal spring migrant to the British Isles,
and is found inhabiting the Northern Circum-tropical seas.
The adult has the general colouration of the plumage
nearly uniform sooty-black ; greater wing-coverts margined
with paler; the tail consists of twelve feathers, and *is
wedge-shaped ; irides, dark hazel ; bill, black ; legs and
toes, deep reddish-brown ; webs, dark brown
about ten inches.
Length,
398
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Mil60iV6 petrel
John QuNCAN.
Wilson's Petrel {Oceanites Wilsoni^ Bonaparte) is a rare
straggler to the British Islands, and is found inhabiting the
Southern Seas. The adult has the general colour of the
plumage sooty-black ; head and neck, lighter ; wings and
tail (the latter nearly square), darker; wing-coverts and
inner secondaries, edged with greyish; rump, upper tail-
coverts, and patch on thighs, white ; base of outer rectrices,
marked with white ; irides, deep hazel ; bill, black ; legs
and feet, black ; webs, yellow at their bases. Length,
about seven inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
399
Xcacb'6 3forh=taUeb petrel
.ry^jpOf^Cfitt't
Leach's Fork-tailed Petrel {Procellaria Leachi, Temminck)
is a resident in the British Seas, and is also found inhabit-
ing the North Atlantic and North Pacific. The adult male
has the general colour of the plumage sooty-brown ; feathers
of upper tail-coverts, white ; some of under tail-coverts, also
white; tail, much forked; irides, brown; bill, legs, and
feet, dusky-black. Length, about seven inches. The
female is similar to the male. The young are said to
resemble the adults.
400
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Stormy IpetreL
^(j/vcfi
The Stormy Petrel {Frocellaria pelagica^ Linnseus) is a
resident in the British Seas. It inhabits the Atlantic
coasts of Europe, and also the Mediterranean. The adult
male has the whole of the plumage black, with the 'ex-
ception of a slight edging of whitish on wing-coverts, upper
tail-coverts, and sides of rump, which are white ; irides,
brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, about five
inches. The female is like the male. The young show
less whitish on the wings, and not so much white on the
sides of the rump.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 401
fIDabeira Storm petreL
The Madeira Storm Petrel {^Oceanodroma cryptoleucura) has
occurred in the British Isles.
Mbite=beUie& Storm petrel.
The White-bellied Storm Petrel {Pelagodroma mari?id) is
now included in the list of British birds.
Mbitc^tbroatet) (5rc^ petrel.
The White-throated Grey Petrel {^Orstrelaia brevipes) is
also included in the list of British birds.
26
402 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
flDany Sbearwater.
Jo HA/ J7u/VC/iAf
The Manx Shearwater {Ptiffinus angloriun^ Temminck) is
a resident species in the British Seas, and is also found
frequenting the whole of the North Atlantic, but is not so
numerous on the Western as on the Eastern side. The
adult has the upper parts nearly black ; sides of head and
neck, mottled with ashy-black ; under parts, white ; irides,
brown ; bill, brownish ; legs and feet, yellowish flesh colour.
Length, about fourteen inches. The female resembles the
male. The young are similar to the adults, but occasional
examples show a more sooty colouration on the under parts.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 403
Soot^ Sbearwater.
Johr/i' UuN'CA//.
The Sooty Shezixw^iiQx {Pu_[/hius gn'seus, Gmelin) is a casual
visitant during our summer to the British Islands, the
breeding area being in the Southern Seas. The adult has
the general colouration of the upper plumage sooty-brown,
with lighter margins to most of the feathers of back, scapu-
lars, and wing-coverts ; primaries and tail, blackish ; chin,
whitish ; rest of under parts, greyish-brown, several of the
feathers with paler centres ; irides, deep brown ; bill, dark
horn colour ; legs and feet, brown ; webs, paler. Length,
from sixteen to seventeen inches. It is said that the young
closely resemble the adults.
404
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
2)u6ft^ Sbearwater*
The Dusky Shearwater {Fiiffinus obscums, Gmelin) is an
exceedingly rare abnormal spring migrant to the British
Islands, and inhabits the Tropic Seas. This Shearwater in
adult plumage closely resembles Puffinus anglorum in
colouration, but is less in size, and the upper parts are
darker. Length, about eleven inches.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 405
(Breat Sbcarwaten
The Great Shearwater {Fuffinus major^ F. Faber) is an
irregular visitor to the British coasts in autumn. It also
inhabits the Atlantic Ocean. The adult is, above, ashy-
grey, most of the feathers margined with paler ; neck, white,
nearly all round; wings and tail, blackish; under parts,
white, with pale brown markings on middle of belly and
thighs ; irides, dark brown ; bill, dark horn colour ; legs
and toes, brown ; webs, dingy flesh colour. Length, from
eighteen to nineteen inches.
Xcvant'e Sbcar\vatei\
Levant's Shearwater {Fuffinus yelkoiiajius) is an exceed-
ingly rare visitor to the British Isles.
4o6
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRcMbroatcb 2)i\>ci\
The Red-throated Diver {Cofyjjibus septentno?iaHs, Linnaeus)
is a resident in the British Isles, and also inhabits the
Northern Palearctic Region, as well as the Nearctic
Region. The adult in nuptial plumage has the forehead,
sides of head, and neck, grey ; crown, nape, and back of
neck, streaked longitudinally with white and black ; centre
portion of throat, rusty red; back, scapulars, lesser and
greater wing-coverts, dusky-brown, marked more or less
on the back with white spots ; quills, brownish ; under
parts, glossy white ; irides, brown ; bill, black ; legs, black ;
centre of webs, tinged with yellowish. Length, from
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
407
twenty-three to twenty-five inches. The female is similar
to the male, but is a little less in size. The young have
the feathers on the upper parts fringed with white.
JSlacft^broatcb 3)ivci\
The Black-throated Diver {Colyjnhus Arctiais, Linnreus)
is a resident in the British Islands, and is also found in
the Northern Palearctic and Nearctic Regions. The
adult in summer dress has the upper parts blackish, witli
bars and spots of white; crown and hind-neck, ashy-grey;
chin and throat, black, glossed with purple, and crossed
by a band of black and white streaks ; sides of neck and
chest, longitudinally banded with white and black ; below
4o8
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
chest, white ; irides, red ; bill, black ; legs and feet,
blackish-brown. Length, about twenty-six inches. The
female is similar to the male, but smaller. The young
have the upper parts dull brownish-black, with light margins
on some of the feathers ; and the scapulars and wing-coverts
are spotted sparingly with white ; under parts, white.
(Breat IRortbern 2)ivci\
JoHr/ DuNC
The Great Northern Diver {Colymhus glacialis, Linnaeus)
is a fairly common autumn and winter migrant to the
British Isles, and is found inhabiting North-Western Europe
and North-Eastern America. The adult in summer has the
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
409
head and neck jet black, glossed with purple and green ;
throat, with two white bands streaked longitudinally with
black lines ; sides of chest, white, streaked with black ;
upper plumage, mostly black, variegated with rows of white
patches and spots ; under parts, white ; sides and flanks,
blackish, marked with white ; irides, crimson ; bill, black ;
legs and feet, olive-black. Length, from thirty-two to
thirty-three inches. The male is larger than the female.
In winter the throat-bands are absent.
Mbite»=billeb Diver.
%JCHN JJuNCAN.
The White-billed Diver {Colymbus Adatnsi, Gray) is a rare
nomadic winter migrant to the British Isles. It inhabits
the Circumpolar Region. The adult resembles the great
northern diver, but in the former the bill is yellowish-white
at all seasons and is deeper; besides, the under mandible is
410
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
much up-curved from the angle, and the white streaks on the
upper throat-band number only six, whilst there are ten on
the under. In Colymbus glacialis the white streaks on the
upper throat-band number about twelve, and on the lower
eighteen. The white-billed diver is also larger in size than
the latter.
(Srcat Creeteb (Brcbc*
The Great Crested Grebe {Podiceps aisiatus, Linnaeus) is
a somewhat locally distributed resident species in the British
Isles, and is also found residing in most portions of the
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 411
Central and Southern Palearctic Region, moving southward
to Southern Africa, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
The adult male in summer has the general colour of the
upper parts brown, tinged with greyish, with paler margins ;
wings, crossed with a white band ; forehead, crown, and
crests, greyish-brown ; eye-streak, cheeks, and chin, white ;
frill round the neck, chestnut, margined on hinder part
with black ; under parts, silky white ; flanks, brownish, with
mottlings of rufous ; irides, red ; bill, red ; legs and feet,
olive. Length, from twenty to twenty-two inches.
Red-necked Grebe.
The Red-necked Grebe {Podiceps rtibt'icollis^ Gmelin) is a
regular visitor to the British Isles during winter. It also
occurs in most parts of Eastern and Northern Europe.
The adult in summer dress has the crown, nape, and hind
part of neck, blackish ; cheeks, chin, and throat, ashy-grey,
margined with white ; upper parts, blackish-brown ; second-
aries, white ; front part of neck, rich chestnut ; abdomen,
white; irides, straw colour; bill, blackish, yellow at base;
legs and feet, deep olive. Length, from seventeen to
eighteen inches. The adult female in summer is similar in
colour, but slightly less in size. The adult in winter has
the throat white, tinged with grey. The young are similar.
(P. 412.)
412 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
IRe&^necheb (Brcbe.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 413
Sclavonian (Srebc-
John UutJCArJ
The Sclavonian Grebe {Podiceps cornutus, Gmelin) is a
straggling autumn and winter migrant to the British Islands,
and inhabits the Northern Nearctic and Palearctic Regions.
The adult male in summer has the forehead, crown, and
neck-ruff, glossy black ; lores, brownish-red ; occipital tufts,
and streak behind the eye, yellowish-chestnut ; upper
plumage, deep brown ; feathers, margined with paler ; quills,
dusky ; secondaries, mostly white or dusky ; fore part,
414
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
sides of neck, and flanks, yellowish-chestnut ; remainder of
under parts, glossy white ; irides, crimson ; bill, straight,
and black ; under base and tip, red ; bare part between
base of bill and eye, crimson ; legs and feet, olive ; webs,
paler. Length, from twelve to thirteen inches. The adults
in winter lack the neck-ruff and ear-tufts.
BIacfi«==necftc& (Brcbe.
The Black-necked Grebe {Podiceps nigricoUis, Brehm) is
only a stray visitor to the British Islands in spring, and
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 415
occasionally in autumn. It is also found in the Southern
Palearctic Region, and throughout the whole of Africa.
The adult in summer has the upper parts dark brown ;
secondaries, nearly all white ; four innermost primaries also
show much white ; head and neck, black, tinged with olive
on the crown ; behind the eye is a triangular patch of
elongated feathers of a rich golden chestnut colour ; under
parts, white, washed on the flanks with dull chestnut ;
irides, red ; bill, black, and slightly recurved ; legs and feet,
olive-green. Length, about twelve inches. The female is
smiilar to the male.
Little Grebe.
The Little Grebe {Podiceps minor, Brisson) is a resident in
the British Islands, in most parts of temperate Europe, and
Asia. It is also met with in the Malay Archipelago,
Northern Australia, Madagascar, and Africa. The adult in
breeding plumage has the head, neck, and upper parts,
dark brown ; secondaries, marked with white ; sides of face
and fore part of neck, chestnut ; abdomen, greyish-white ;
sides, mottled with deep brown ; irides, brown ; bill, black,
lighter at tip ; legs and feet, deep olive. Length, from
eight to ten inches. The female is similar to the male.
The young show more brown above. (P. 416.)
4i6 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Xittlc (Brebe.
John XltiNCMN
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
417
Corn Crake.
The Corn Crake {Crex pratensis^ Bechstein) is a well-known
visitor to our shores in summer, and occasionally examples
are met with in winter. It is also found throughout the
Western Palearctic Region. The adult male is, above,
dark brown, feathers edged with pale ferruginous; wing-
coverts, chestnut; primaries, reddish-brown; throat, white ;
patch over eyes, cheeks, and breast, light ash : centre of
abdomen, nearly white ; flanks and under tail-coverts,
marked with broad bars of yellowish-rufous and whitish
mottlings; irides, light brown; bill, legs, and feet, pale
27
4i8
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
pinkish brown. Length, about eleven inches. The female
is a trifle less in size than the male, and the colouration is
duller.
Spotteb Crafte.
The Spotted Crake {Crex poranza, Linnaeus) visits the
British Isles in the summer, and a few individuals spend
the winter with us. It is also found inhabiting temperate
Europe and Western Asia. In winter it retires southwards
to Africa and India. The adult male has the crown of the
head dark brown; eye-stripe, cheeks, and throat, greyish;
breast, brownish, with white spots; abdomen, greyish;
flanks, marked with bars of brown and white; upper parts,
mostly olive-brown, streaked with darker brown, and spotted
minutely with white; irides, hazel; bill, yellow; base,
orange ; legs and feet, olive. Length, from eight to nine
inches. The female is duller in colour, and a little less in
size than the male. The young are said to have the throat
white and the spots fainter.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 419
Xittle Craftc.
The Little Crake {Crex parva, Scopoli) is a rare irregular
spring and autumn migrant to the British Islands, and
inhabits the Western Palearctic Region. The adult male
has the crown of the head, hind neck, and upper parts,
olivaceous-brown ; centre of back, streaked broadly with
black, and spotted here and there with white ; both webs of
quills, clove-brown ; forehead, cheeks, sides of neck, and
remainder of under parts, bluish-grey, with small spots of
white on the thighs, vent, and under tail-coverts ; rectrices,
with dark centres ; irides, red ; bill, green, reddish at base ;
legs and feet, green. Length, about eight inches. In the
adult female the eye is surrounded with light grey; throat,
whitish; neck, breast, and abdomen, washed with buff;
flanks, brown, with transverse bars of white.
420 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
BaiUon'6 Crahe,
Baillon's Crake {Forza7ta Bailloni^ Vieill)is an exceedingly
rare visitor to the British Isles, and is stated to have nested
twice with us. This bird is also found in the Southern
Palearctic Region and throughout Africa. The adult male
has the crown, neck, and upper parts chiefly rufous-brown,
marked with white and black streaks and spots ; sides of
head, throat, and breast, bluish-slate ; outer web of first
primary, white ; flanks and under tail-coverts, with boldly
defined black and white bars ; irides, red ; bill, yellowish-
green ; legs and feet, flesh colour, tinged with brown.
Length, about seven inches. The adult female is lighter
above than the male; under parts, browner,,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 421
Mater*raU.
The Water-rail [RaHus aquaticus, Linnaeus) is a generally
distributed resident species throughout the British Isles,
and is also found in most parts of the Western Palearctic
Region. The adult male has the top of the head and upper
parts chiefly reddish-brown, streaked in centre of feathers
with blackish; chin, nearly white; cheeks, neck, breast, and
abdomen, lead colour ; flanks, barred transversely with
black and white ; primaries, brownish ; tail, dark brown ;
vent, pale buflish-white ; irides, hazel ; bill, red ; legs and
feet, flesh colour, tinged with brown. Length, from ten to
eleven inches. The adult female closely resembles the
male, but is a little less in size. The young in first plumage
have the under parts buffish-white, with bars of dark brown
on the flanks.
422
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Carolina IRaiL
The Carolina Rail {Crex Carolina, Linnseus) has one
British record. It is a migratory species, and in summer
is found inhabiting the Northern United States, as far
north as lat. 62°; in winter it occurs in the Southern
States, Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies,
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
423
umaterbcn.
The Waterhen {Galli?iula chioropus, Linnaeus) is a widely
distributed resident species in the British Islands, and
occurs in most parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The
adult has the head, nape, and upper parts, dark slate-grey ;
under parts, dusky ; flanks, brownish, with a few white
streaks ; under tail-coverts, white ; horny shield on fore-
head, scarlet ; irides, hazel ; bill, scarlet, yellow at tip ; legs,
tinged with yellow and green ; tibia, scarlet. Length,
about thirteen inches. The female is said to be richer
in colour than the male. The young have the horny
shield of a greenish tinge.
424
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Common Coot.
The Common Coot [Fiilica atra, Linnaeus) is a resident
in the British Islands, moving about locally after the
nesting season. It is also found distributed over most
portions of Europe and temperate Asia. The adult has
the upper parts dark slate-grey; secondaries, tipped with
white; under parts, slate-grey; horny shield on forehead,
white ; irides, crimson ; bill, pinkish at base, white at tip ;
legs and feet, dark green. Length, from fifteen to sixteen
inches. The female is similar to the male. The young
have the horny shield less developed, and show white on
the throat.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
425
1Ring:==&ovc.
The Ring-dove {Columba paiumbus, Linnaeus) is a resident
species in the British Islands, and, with the exception of the
extreme North, inhabits the whole of the Western Palearctic
Region, also ranging through Western Asia. The adult has
the upper parts bluish-ash ; rump, paler ; lower portion of
neck and breast, bluish-grey, suffused with purplish-red and
green ; sides of neck have a conspicuous patch of white ;
wings, brownish ; wing-coverts, edged with white ; tail,
blackish; centre of belly, light grey; irides, light yellow;
bill, red at base, towards tip yellowish ; legs and feet,
crimson. Length, from fifteen to seventeen inches. The
adult female has the neck spot smaller, and the general
plumage is duller. The young show no neck spot.
426 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Stocft^^bovc.
^^Z^iX'^^^^J^
The Stock-dove {Coiiunda (jenas, Linnaeus) is a resident in
the British Islands, and also occurs throughout the Western
Palearctic Region, and ranges into Asia. The adult male
is readily distinguished from the ring-dove by its smaller
size and absence at all times of the white neck patch, and
from the wings showing no white. The wing bar rudimen-
tary, rump, and general plumage, greyish-blue; fore part
of breast, tinged with vinous purple ; sides of neck have
plirple and green reflections; irides, red; bill, whitish, red
at base ; legs and feet, crimson. Length, about thirteen
inches. The adult female is duller in plumage and less in
size. The young have the plumage browner, and lack the
sheen on the neck.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
427
1Roch=bo\)e.
u*r^>*
The Rock-dove {Columba iivia, Brisson) is another resident
in the British Isles, and is also found in most parts of the
Western Palearctic Region, with the exception of the Far
North. The adult male can at once be distinguished from
the stock-dove by each wing having two broad black
transverse bars, and lower back and rump being white.
Irides, orange ; bill, blackish ; legs and feet, red. Length,
from eleven to thirteen inches. The female is similar to
the male, but is less in size. The young show no sheen on
the plumage.
428
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
^urtIe=&o\)e.
The Turtle-dove {Tiirtur auriiits^ Gray), which is one
of our summer migrants, is met with in the Western
Palearctic Region. The adult male has the head, neck,
breast, and back, light wood-brown, tinged with pearl-grey;
on either side of neck is a conspicuous patch of black
feathers, with white tips; scapulars and wing-coverts, dark-
brown, margined with cinnamon-brown; primaries, brownish-
black; two centre feathers of tail, clove-brown; remainder
of feathers have white tips ; breast, pale vinous-red ; belly,
white; flanks, lavender; under tail-coverts, white; irides,
rufous; bill, brown; legs and feet, crimson. Length, eleven
or twelve inches. The adult female is similar to the male,
but the plumage is duller in colour. The young in first
plumage want the patch on the neck.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
429
lEaetern ^urtlc=t)o\>c.
The Eastern Turtle-dove {Turiur OrientaHs, Latham) is a
very rare irregular autumn migrant to the British Isles it is
also found inhabiting the North-western Oriental Region
and South-eastern Palearctic Region. This dove may
readily be recognised by the " broad chestnut-brown mar-
gins of its dark central scapulars and tertials."
Ipa66enocr pigeon.
The Passenger Pigeon {Eciopis/es viigratorius^ Linnceus) is
a migratory species, which has occurred several times"'h-i the
British Isles, and in summer is found inhabiting North
430
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
America. The adult male has the head and upper parts
bluish-grey, with spots of black on the wings ; primaries,
brownish-black, edged with grey ; breast, cinnamon-rufous,
changing into pale vinous on the remainder of under parts ;
under tail-coverts, white.
lpaUa6'6 Sanb (Brouse.
•iMii((i<S<-^ .~^^r
Pallas's Sand-grouse {Syrrhaptes paradoxus^ Pallas) is an
exceptionally rare visitor at intervals to the British Islands.
The bird is also found inhabiting the Tartar Steppes of
Asia, occurring more or less throughout the greater part
of Europe. The adult male has the upper parts warm
ochreous-buff, with bars of black ; primaries, long, pointed,
and greyish ; head, yellowish-buff; two central tail-feathers,
long and pointed ; neck and breast, buff, tinged with grey,
•and crossed by a mottled band ; a broad black band runs
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
431
across the abdomen ; vent, white ; irides, dark brown ; feet,
feathered to the toes. Length, from thirteen to fifteen
inches. The adult female is said to have no black band
across the breast, and is less in size than the male.
Common ®uaiL
'"^v)HC
The Common Quail {Coturnix communis^ Bonnaterre) is a
widely distributed species in summer in this country, and
examples are often met with during the autumn and winter.
It is also found inhabiting the Palearctic Region and the
whole of Africa, and migrates from Northern Europe during
winter. The adult male has the general colouration of the
plumage brown, varied on the upper parts with streaks of
buff; eye-streak, creamy-white; throat, rufous, having a
doul)le crescent of black below ; lower part of neck and
breast, light rufous; belly, pale buff; flanks, buffish-red,
striped longitudinally with buff; irides, brown; bill, legs,
and feet, brown, with a yellowish tinge. Length, about
seven inches.
432
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
1Rc5:^Icgget) partribge^
The Red-legged Partridge {Caccal'is nifa, Linnaeus) was
introduced into this country upwards of one hundred years
ago. It inhabits the western portion of Europe. The
adult male can easily be distinguished from the common
partridge by the black gorget and the flanks, which are
barred with black and chestnut ; irides, hazel ; legs, red.
Length, from twelve to thirteen inches. The adult female
is less in size than the male, and the plumage is duller.
The young in first plumage are browner below than the
adults, and the gorget is not so fully developed.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
433
Common Ipartribge*
#4
■•:k*fc
The Common Partridge {Perdix cinerea^ Brisson) is a
generally distributed resident in the British Isles, and also
inhabits the temperate portions of Europe and Western
Asia. A detailed description of this well-known species is
hardly needed, but the fact may be mentioned that the
mature male can be distinguished from the female by the
rich dark brown marks on the lower breast, those on the
female being much less developed. The young have no
dark patches on the belly.
28
434
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
pbeaeant
The Pheasant {Phasianiis colchicus, Linnaeus) is an intro-
duced species, and was originally an inhabitant of South-
Eastern Europe and Asia Minor. A description of this
common and well-known bird is hardly required.
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 435
Capercail3ie.
The Capercailzie {l^elrao u/oj^m//us, Linnaius), which be-
came extinct about a hundred years ago, has since been
introduced, and is now fairly abundant in the central
portion of Scotland. It also inhal)its the Northern Pale-
arctic Region. The general colouration of the plumage of
the adult male is dark slate-grey ; scapulars, wing-coverts,
and primaries have fine vermiculations of whitish ; under
436
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
parts, marked with white ; breast, shaded with green ; tail,
rounded and black, with spots of white; irides, brown;
bare spots above eyes, bright red ; bill, whitish. Length,
from thirty-three to thirty-six inches. The female, which is
less than the male, is of a yellowish chestnut, with variega-
tions of black, brown, rufous, and white.
Blacft (5rou0c,
The Black Grouse {Tetrao teirix, Linnaeus) is a resident
in this country; it also inhabits Northern Europe, and is
met with in some parts of Central as well as Southern
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
437
Europe. The adult male is so well known that a brief
description is quite sufficient. The general colour is bluish-
black, tinged with brown on upper parts ; white bar across
the wings ; tail, black, outermost rectrices curved outwards ;
irides, hazel; wattles above eyes, scarlet. Length, from
twenty to twenty-three inches. The adult female is less
than the male, and is similar in colouration to the female
capercailzie; tail, not forked. The young resemble the
female.
IRcb (5rou6e<
-^^^5^
The Red Grouse {Lagopus scoticus^ Brisson) is confined
to the British Isles. The adult male in spring is prin-
cipally chestnut-brown, the greater portion of the feathers
being vermiculated, barred, and speckled with black ;
abdomen, greyish -white ; irides, hazel; feathers on legs
and feet, greyish-white; wattles over eyes, rich scarlet.
This species varies much in colouration. Length, from
fifteen to sixteen inches. The adult female is less in size,
438
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
and the general colour is much paler. The young resemble
the adults, but show more white on the head and belly.
ptarmigan.
JON/V Du/VCAA/
The Ptarmigan {Lagoptis inutus, Montin) is a resident in the
British Islands, and is also found inhabiting the moun-
tainous portions of Europe and Central Asia. The adult
male in summer plumage has the chin and under parts
below the chest, white ; wings, white ; tail, black ; central
feathers have narrow tips of white ; remainder of plumage,
almost black, with fine vermiculations of buffish-brown ;
lores, black ; head and neck, marked here and there with
white ; irides, hazel ; wattles above eyes, scarlet ; bill and
claws, dark brown. Length, about fifteen or sixteen inches.
The female's general colour is rusty-yellow, barred and
otherwise marked with blackish.
APPENDIX.
A list of species which are said to have occurred in the
British Isles.
Alpine Chough {Pyrrhocorax Alpinus).
Red-winged Starling {Agelaus phaniceus).
Rusty Grakle {Scolecophagus ferrugineus).
Meadow Starling {Sturfiella ?nagfia).
Gold-vented Bulbul {Fycnonotus capefisis).
South African Serin {Serinus canicollis).
Yellow-rumped Seed-eater {Sertnus icterus).
Nonpariel Finch {Cyanospiza ciris).
White-throated Sparrow {Zonotrichia albicollis).
Ruby-crowned Wren {Regulus calendula).
American Robin {Turdus inigratorius).
White-collared Flycatcher {Musicapa collaris).
Red-rumped Swallow {Hiru?ido rufula).
American Tree Swallow {Tachyctneta bicolor).
Blue-tailed Bee-eater {Merops Fhilippmus).
Abyssinian Roller {Comcias leucocephalus).
Indian Roller {Coractas I?idicus).
Jugger Falcon {Falco jugger).
American Kestrel {Falco sparverius).
Black-winged Kite {Flanus cccrulcus).
Desert Buzzard {Butco desertorum).
Red-tailed Buzzard {Buteo boreal is).
Red-shouldered Buzzard {Buteo lifwatus).
Trumpeter Swan {Cygnus buccinator).
440 APPENDIX.
American Swan {Cygnus Amertcanus).
Bar-headed Goose {Anser Indicus).
Chinese Goose (Anser cygnoidus).
Canada Goose {Bernicia Canadensis).
Egyptian Goose {Chenalopex ^gyptiaca).
Spur-winged Goose (^Plectropterus ganibensis).
Ring-necked Duck {Fuligula collaris).
Little Green Heron (Butorides virescens).
"" Soudan Crane {Grus pavontna).
Andalucian Hemipode {Turnix sylvaticd).
Marsh Sandpiper {Totanus stagnatalis).
Bridled Tern {Sterna ancBstheta).
Pied-billed Grebe {Podilyinbus podiceps^.
Albatross {Diomedea 7nelanophrys).
Purple Gallinule {Porphyrio cceruleus).
Green-backed Gallinule {Porphyria smaragdonohis).
Martinique Gallinule {Porphyria Martinicus).
INDEX
Accentor, Alpine, 126
Hedge, 125
Alpine Pipit, 59
American Bittern, 283
,, Golden Plover, 312
,, Goshawk, 206
,, Pectoral Sandpiper, 335
.,, Stint, 338
Teal, 239
,, White -winged Cross-
bill, 14
,, Wigeon, 235
Aquatic Warbler, 99
Arctic Blue-throated Robin, 115
,, Tern, 376
Asiatic Golden Plover, 312
Auk, Great, 392
,, Little, 389
Avocet, Common, 315
Baillon's Crake, 420
Barn Owl, 156
,, Swallow, 134
Barred Warbler, 93
Bar-tailed Godwit, 347
Bartram's Sandpiper, 324
Bean Goose, 224
Bearded Titmouse, 69
Bee-eater, 151
Belted Kingfisher, 155
Bernacle Goose, 231
Bewick's Swan, 221
Bittern, 280
,, American, 283
,, Little, 281
Blackbird, 108
lilack Grouse, 436
,, Guillemot, 388
,, Kite, 195
Redstart, 118
Black Stork, 279
„ Tern, 383
,, ,, White-winged, 384
Blackcap Warbler, 91
Black-backed Gull, Great, 359
,, ,, Lesser, 361
Black-bellied Dipper, 128
Black-billed Cuckoo, 144
Black-headed Gull, 363
,, ,, Great, 364
,, ,, Mediterra-
nean, 365
Black-necked Grebe, 414
Black-tailed Godwit, 346
Black-throated Diver, 407
,, Ouzel, no
,, Wheatear, 121
Blue Titmouse, 74
Blue-headed Wagtail, 55
Blue-throated Robin, Arctic, 115
Blue-winged Teal, 239
Blyth's Willow Wren, 83
Bonaparte's Gull, 366
,, Sandpiper, 332
Brambling, 24
Brent Goose, 229
,, ,, White-bellied, 230
Broad-billed Sandpiper, 334
Brunnich's Guillemot, 387
Buff-backed Heron, 286
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 336
Buffel -headed Duck, 260
Buffon's Skua, 354
Bullfinch, 20
,, Greater, 20
Bulwer's Petrel, 397
Bunting, Black -headed, 42
,, Hranilt's Siberian, 45
Cirl, 39
,, Corn, 38
442
INDEX.
Bunting, Lapland, 36
,. Little, 43
,, Ortolan, 41
,, Reed, 37
,, Rustic, 44
Snow, 35
,, Yellow, 40
Bustard, Great, 295
,, Little, 296
,, Macqueen's, 298
Buzzard, Common, 201
,, Honey, 199
,, Rough-legged, 203
Calandra Lark, 50
Canary, 29
Cape Petrel, 396
Capercailzie, 435
Capped Petrel, 395
Carolina Rail, 422
Caspian Sand Plover, 309
„ Tern, 378
Chaffinch, 23
Chififchaff, 81
Chough, Common, 6
Cirl Bunting, 39
Coal Titmouse, 73
Collared Petrel, 396
Common Avocet, 315
,, Buzzard, 201
,, Eider, 261
,, Guillemot, 385
Gull, 362
,, Heron, 283
Jay, 7
,, Kingfisher, 154
Kite, 193
,, Nightjar, 149
,, Nuthatch, 68
Partridge, 433
,, Pratincole, 302
Quail, 431
,, Sandpiper, 329
Scoter, 256
,, Snipe, 350
,, Stilt, 312
., Swift, 146
Teal, 238
Tern, 375
,, Wren, 129
Coot, Common, 424
Cormorant, 216
Corn Bunting, 38
Coues' Redpole, 34
Courser, Cream-coloured, 300
Crake, Baillon's, 420
„ Corn, 417
,, Little, 419
,, Spotted, 418
Crane, Common, 293
,, Demoiselle, 293
Creeper, Common, 64
„ Wall, 65
Crested Lark, 48
,, Titmouse, 71
Crossbill, American White-
winged, 14
,, Common, 13
,, European White-
winged, 15
,, Parrot, 16
Crow, Carrion, 2
,, Hooded, 3
Cuckoo, 142
,, Black-billed, 144
,, Great Spotted, 143
,, Yellow-billed, 145
Curlew, Common, 315
,, Sandpiper, 325
,, Stone, 298
Dartford Warbler, S7
emoiselle Crane, 293
Desert Wheatear, 122
Dipper, 127
Black -bellied, 128
Diver, Black-throated, 407
,, Great Northern, 408
,, Red-throated, 406
,, White-billed, 409
Dotterel, 301
Dove, Ring, 425
,, Rock, 427
,, Stock, 426
,, Turtle, 428
Duck, Buffel-headed, 260
,, Harlequin, 254
,, Long-tailed, 255
,, Pintail, 241
,, Tufted, 250
INDEX.
443
Dunlin, 341
Dusky Redshank, 344
,, Shearwater, 404
Eagle, Golden, 187
„ Owl, 170
,, Spotted, 189
,, White-tailed, 191
Eastern Turtle-dove, 429
Egret, Great White, 291
,, Little, 289
Egyptian Nightjar, 150
,, Vulture, 173
Eider, Common, 261
,, King, 264
,, Steller's, 262
Eskimo Whimbrel, 318
European White-winged Cross-
bill, 15
Falcon, Iceland Jer, 177
,, Peregrine, 178
,, Scandinavian Jer, 177
,, White Jer, 174
Fieldfare, 107
Finch, Scarlet Rose, 18
,, Serin, 28
Firecrest, 66
Flamingo, 273
Flycatcher, Pied, 132
,, Red-breasted, 133
„ Spotted, 131
Fork-tailed Petrel, Leach's, 399
Fulmar Petrel, 394
Gadwall, 240
Gannet, 218
Garden Warbler, 90
Garganey, 242
Glossy Ibis, 273
Godwit, Bar-tailed, 347
,, Black-tailed, 346
Goldcrest, 67
Golden Eagle, 187
„ Eye, 252
,, Oriole, 12
,, Plover, 310
,, ,, American, 312
,, ,, Asiatic, 312
Goldfinch, 26
Goosander, 266
Goose, Bean, 224
,, Bernacle, 231
,, Brent, 229
,, Grey- Lag, 223
,, Lesser Snow, 222
,, ,, White-fronted, 227
,, Pink-footed, 225
,, Red-breasted, 232
,, White-bellied Brent, 230
,, White-fronted, 226
Goshawk, 204
,, American, 206
Grasshopper Warbler, loi
Great Auk, 392
,, Bustard, 295
,, Northern Diver, 40S
,, Reed Warbler, 98
,, Shearwater, 405
„ Skua, 353
,, Snipe, 349
,, Spotted Cuckoo, 143
,, ,, Woodpecker, 141
,, Titmouse, 75
,, White Egret, 291
Greater Bullfinch, 20
,, Ringed Plover, 306
Grebe, Black-necked, 414
,, Great Crested, 410
„ Little, 415
,, Red-necked, 411
,, Sclavonian, 413
Green Sandpiper, 328
,, Woodpecker, 139
Greenfinch, 25
Greenland Redpole, 34
Greenshank, 345
Grey Petrel, White-throated, 401
,, Phalarope, 320
„ Plover, 311
,, Shrike, Great, So
,, ,, Lesser, 79
,, ,, Pallas's, Si
,, Wagtail, 54
Grifton Vulture, 172
Grosbeak, Pine, 17
Ground Thrush, Siberian, 1 12
,, ,, White's, III
Grouse, Blnck, 436
Kcd, 437
444
INDEX.
Guillemot, Black, 388
,, Brunnich's, 387
,, Common, 385
,, Ringed, 386
Gull, Black-headed, 363
,, Bonaparte's, 366
,, Common, 362
,, Glaucous, 370
,, Great Black-backed, 359
,, Black-headed, 364
,, Herring, 359
,, Iceland, 371
,, Ivory, 372
,, Lesser Black-backed, 361
,, Little, 367
,, Mediterranean Black
headed, 365
,, Ross's,^ 369
,, Sabine's, 368
Gull-billed Tern, 379
Harlequin Duck, 254
Harrier, Hen, 211
,, ]\Iarsh, 213
,, Montagu's, 209
Hawfinch, 19
Hawk Owl, 165
,, Sparrow, 205
Hedge Accentor, 125
Heron, Bufif-backed, 286
,, Common, 283
,, Night, 285
,, Purple, 289
,, Squacco, 287
Herring Gull, 359
Hobby, 179
,, Orange-legged, 180
Holboell's Red pole, 34
Honey Buzzard, 199
Hooded Crow, 3
,, Merganser, 265
Hooper Swan, 220
Hoopoe, 153
House Martin, 135
,, Sparrow, 21
Ibis, Glossy, 273
Iceland Gull, 371
,, Jer-Falcon, 177
Icterine Warbler, 103
Isabelline Wheatear, 120
Ivory Gull, 372
Jackdaw, 5
Jack Snipe, 351
Jay, Common, 7
Jer-Falcon, Iceland, 177
,, Scandinavian, 177
White, 174
Kentish Sand Plover, 308
Kestrel, 183
,, Lesser, 184
Killdeer Plover, 305
King Eider, 264
Kingfisher, Belted, 155
,, Common, 154
Kite, Black, 195
,, Common, 193
,, Swallow-tailed, 197
Kittiwake, 357
Knot, 342
Lapland Bunting, 36
Lapwing, 303
,, Sociable, 304
Lark, Calandra, 50
,, Crested, 48
,, Shore, 51
,, Short-toed, 47
,, Sky, 45
,, White- winged, 49
,, Wood, 46
Leach's Fork-tailed Petrel, 399
Lesser Black-backed Gull, 361
,, Grey Shrike, 79
,, Kestrel, 184
,, Redpole, 32
,, Snow Goose, 222
,, Spotted Woodpecker, 140
,, Tern, 377
,, White-fronted Goose, 227
,, Whitethroat, 88
Levant's Shearwater, 405
Linnet, 30
Little Auk, 389
,, Bittern, 281
,, Bunting, 43
,, Bustard, 296
,, Crake, 419
„ Egret, 289
INDEX.
445
Little Grebe, 415
,, Gull, 367
„ Owl, 163
,, Ringed Plover, 307
„ Stint, 337
Long-eared Owl, 160
Long-tailed Duck, 255
,, Titmouse, 70
Macqueen's Bustard, 298
Madeira Storm Petrel, 401
Magpie, 8
Mallard, 245
Manx Shearwater, 402
Marsh Harrier, 213
,, Titmouse, 72
,, Warbler, 94
Martin, House, 135
„ Purple, 137
,, Sand, 136
Meadow Pipit, 58
Mealy Redpole, 33
Mediterranean Black-headed Gull,
365
Melodious Warbler, 100
Merganser, Hooded, 265
,, Red-breasted, 269
Merlin, 1S2
Missel Thrush, 105
Montagu's Harrier, 209
Mute Swan, 219
Needle-tailed Swift, 148
Night Heron, 285
Nightingale, 116
Nightjar, Common, 149
„" Egyptian, 150
,, Red-necked, 150
Noddy Tern, 381
Nutcracker, 9
Nuthatch, Common, 68
Orange-lec.ged HoiiBV,
Oriole, Golden, 12
Orphean Warbler, 92
Ortolan Bunting, 41
Osprey, 215
Ouzel, Black-throatcil, no
Ring, 109
Owl, Barn, 156
iSo
Owl. Eagle, 170
,, Hawk, 165
,, Little, 163
,, Long-eared, 160
,, Scops, 168
,, Short-eared, 158
,, Snowy, 164
,, Tengmalm's, 161
,, Wood, 157
Oyster Catcher, 321
Pallas's Grey Shrike, 81
,, Sand-grouse, 430
Willow Wren, 82
Parrot Crossbill, 16
Partridge, Common, 433
Red-legged, 432
Passenger Pigeon, 429
Pectoral Sandpiper, American, 335
,, ,, Siberian, 336
Peregrine Falcon, 178
Petrel, Bulwer's, 397
,, Cape, 396
Capped, 395
,, Collared, 396
,, Fulmar, 394
,, Leach's P^ork-tailed, 399
,, Madeira Storm, 401
,, Stormy, 400
,, White-bellied Storm, 401
,, White-throated Grey, 401
,, Wilson's, 39S
Phalarope, Grey, 320
,, Red-necked, 319
Pheasant, 434
Pied P'lycatcher, 132
,, Wagtail, 52
Pine Grosbeak, 17
Pink-fooled Goose, 225
Pintail Duck, 241
Pipit, Alpine, 59
,, Meadow, 58
,, Red-throaie<l, 63
,, Richard's, 62
,, Rock, 60
,, Tawny, 61
„ Tree. 57
Plover, American Goklen, 312
,, Asiatic Goklen, 312
,, Caspian Sand, 309
446
INDEX.
Plover, Golden, 310
,, Greater Ringed, 306
,, Grey, 311
,, Kentish Sand, 308
,, Killdeer, 305
,, Little Ringed, 307
,, Ringed, 307
Pochard, 246
,, Red-crested, 247
,, White-eyed, 248
Pomatorhine Skua, 356
Pratincole, Common, 302
Ptarmigan, 438
Puffin, 390
Purple Heron, 289
,, Martin, 137
„ Sandpiper, 333
Quail, Common, 431
Rail, Carolina, 422
,, Water, 421
Raven, i
Razorbill, 391
Red Grouse, 437
Red-backed Shrike, 77
Red-breasted Flycatcher, 133
,, Goose, 232
,, Merganser, 269
Snipe, 352
Red-crested Pochard, 247
Red-legged Partridge, 432
Red-necked Grebe, 411
Nightjar, 150
,, Phalarope, 319
Red-throated Diver, 406
,, Pipit, 6^
Redpole, Coues', 34
,, Greenland, 34
,, Holboell's, 34
,, Lesser, 32
,, Mealy, 33
Redshank, 343
Dusky, 344
Redstart, 117
,, Black, 118
Redwing, 106
Reed Bunting, 37
,, Warbler, 96
,, ,, Great, 98
Richard's Pipit, 62
Richardson's Skua, 355
Ring-dove, 425
Ring Ouzel, 109
Ringed Guillemot, 386
,, I'lover, 307
,, ,, Greater, 306
,, Little, 307
Robin, 114
,, Arctic Blue-throated, 115
Rock Pipit, 60
Rock-dove, 427
Rock-Thrush, 113
Roller, 152
Rook, 4
Roseate Tern, 374
Rose-coloured Starling, ii
Rose Finch, Scarlet, 18
Ross's Gull, 369
Rough-legged Buzzard, 203
Ruddy Sheldrake, 234
Rufif, 322
Rufous Warbler, 95
Rustic Bunting, 44
Sabine's Gull, 368
St. Kilda Wren, 130
Sanderling, 340
Sand Martin, 136
,, Plover, Caspian, 309
,, ,, Kentish, 308
Sand-grouse, Pallas's, 430
Sandpiper, American Pectoral,
335
,, Bartram's, 324
,, Bonaparte's, 332
,, Broad-billed, 334
,, Buff-breasted, 336
,, Common, 329
,, Curlew, 325
,, Green, 328
Purple, 233
,, Siberian Pectoral, 336
,, Solitary, 331
,, Spotted, 326
,, Wood, 326
,, Yellow-legged, 330
Sandwich Tern, 373
Savi's Warbler, 102
Scandinavian Jer-Falcon, 177
INDEX.
447
Scarlet Rose Finch, i8
Scaup, 251
Sclavonian Grebe, 413
Scops Owl, 168
Scoter, Common, 256
,, Surf, 259
,, Velvet, 258
Sedge Warbler, 97
Serin Finch, 28
Shag, 217
Shearwater, Dusky, 404
,, Great, 405
,, Levant's, 405
,, Manx, 402
„ Sooty, 403
Sheldrake, 233
Ruddy, 234
Shore-Lark, 51
Short-eared Owl, 158
Short-toed Lark, 47
Shoveller, 244
Shrike, Great Grey, 80
,, Lesser Grey, 79
,, Pallas's Grey, 81
,, Red-backed, 77
,, Woodchat, 78
Siberian Bunting, Brandt's, 45
,, Ground Thrush, 112
Siskin, 27
Skua, Buffon's, 354
„ Great, 353
,, Pomatorhine, 356
,, Richardson's, 355
Sky- Lark, 45
Smew, 271
Snipe, Common, 350
,, Great, 349
,, Jack, 351
,, Red-breasted, 352
Snow Bunting, 35
,, Goose, Lesser, 222
Snowy Owl, 164
Sociable Lapwing, 304
Song Thrush, 104
Sooty Tern, 380
Sparrow Hawk, 205
,, House, 21
,, Tree, 22
Spoonbill, 276
Spotted Crake, 418
Spotted Cuckoo, Great, 143
„ Eagle, 189
,, Flycatcher, 131
,, Woodpecker, Great, 141
,, ,, Lesser, 140
Squacco Heron, 287
Starling, 10
,, Rose-coloured, 11
Steller's Eider, 262
wStilt, Common, 312
Stint, American, 23^
,, Little, 337
,, Temminck's, 339
Stock-dove, 426
Stonechat, 124
Stone Curlew, 298
Stork, Black, 279
,, White, 276
Storm Petrel, Madeira, 401
,, ,, White-bellieil, 401
Stormy Petrel, 400
Subalpine Warbler, 93
Swallow, Barn, 134
Swallow-tailed Kite, 197
Swan, Bewick's, 221
,, Hooper, 220
,, Mute, 219
Swift, Common, 146
,, Needle-tailed, 148
,, White-bellied, 147
Tawny Pirrr, 61
Teal, American, 239
,, Blue-winged, 239
,, Common, 238
Temminck's Stint, 339
Tengmalm's Owl, 161
Tern, Arctic, 376
,, Black, 383
,, Caspian, ^yS
,, Common, 375
,, Gull-billed, 379
,, Lesser, 377
,, Noddy, 381
,, Roseate, 374
,, Sandwich, 373
,, Sooty, 3S0
,, Whiskered, 3S2
,, White-winged Black, 384
Thrush, Missel, 105
448
INDEX.
Thrush, Rock, 113
,, Siberian Ground, 112
Song, 104
,, White's Ground, in
Titmouse, Bearded, 69
Blue, 74
Coal, 73
Crested, 71
Great, 75
Long-tailed, 70
Marsh, 72
Tree Pipit, 57
,, Sparrow, 22
Tufted Duck, 250
Turnstone, 323
Turtle-dove, 428
,, Eastern, 429
Twite, 31
Velvet Scoter, 258
Vulture, Egyptian, 173
„ Griffon, 172
Wagtail, Blue-headed, 55
Grey, 54
,, Pied, 52
White, 53
,, Yellow, 56
Wall-Creeper, 65
Warbler, Aquatic, 99
Barred, 93
,, Blackcap, 91
,, Dartford, 87
,, Garden, 90
,, Grasshopper, loi
Great Reed, 98
,, Icterine, 103
,, Marsh, 94
,. Melodious, 100
,-, Orphean, 92
,, Reed, 96
,, Rufous, 95
Savi's, 102
Sedge, 97
,, Subalpine, 93
Waterhen, 423
Water-rail, 421
Waxwing, 76
Wheatear, 119
,, Black-throated, 121
Desert, 122
Wheatear, Isabelline, 120
Whimbrel, 317
,, Eskimo, 318
Whinchat, 123
Whiskered Tern, 382
White Egret, Great, 291
,, Jer-Falcon, 174
,, Stork, 276
White's Ground Thrush, in
Whitethroat, 89
,, Lesser, 88
White-bellied Brent Goose, 230
,, Storm Petrel, 401
Swift, 147
White-billed Diver, 409
White-eyed Pochard, 248
White-fronted Goose, 226
,, ,, Lesser, 227
White-tailed Eagle, 191
White-throated Grey Petrel, 401
White-winged Black Tern, 384
,, Crossbill, Ameri-
can, 14
,, Crossbill, Euro-
pean, 15
,, Lark, 49
Wigeon, 236
,, American, 235
Wilson's Petrel, 398
Wood Owl, 157
,, Sandpiper, 326
Wood -Lark, 46
Woodchat Shrike, 78
Woodcock, 348
Woodpecker, Great Spotted, 141
,, Green, 139
,, Lesser Spotted, 140
Wren, Blyth's Willow, 83
,, Common, 129
,, Pallas's Willow, 82
,, St. Kilda, 130
,, Willow, 85
,, Wood, 86
,, Yellow-browed Willow, 84
Wryneck, 138
Yellow Bunting, 40
,, Wagtail, 56
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 145
Yellow-browed Willow Wren, 84
Yellow-legged Sandpiper, 330
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