Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 4 of 9.djvu/50

 The under tail-coverts are white, under part of the wing greyish brown, and the axillaries the same colour. Upper mandible is dark bluish grey, whereas the lower is light bluish grey at the base, and the iris is light brown. Feet are a uniform leaden bluish grey.

Adult Female.—The colouring is similar to that of the male, but not so intense.

Adult Male in Autumn.—The crown and ear-coverts are grey, faintly washed with brown, the latter being slightly darker and more slate colour. The feathers round the eye are white, and are more conspicuous on the lower eyelid. There is a superciliary stripe, but not a very conspicuous one, and the lores are the same colour as the ear-coverts. The under parts are white, the crop being faintly washed with pale buff and lavender pink, and the flanks are of the same colour. The under tail: coverts are whitish grey, and the under parts of the tail greyish brown, the outer tail-feathers being lighter and whitish on the outer edge. The shafts are white. The upper part of the tail is a warm brown colour, but a little more buff on the upper tail-coverts. The tail-feathers are dark olive brown, and the wing-feathers are the same colour, the under parts of the wing being grey, edged with light buff. The iris is light flesh brown, feet lead or blue, and the soles and claws much the same colour, but somewhat darker. The anterior end of both mandibles is dark grey, the remainder of the upper mandible being whitish grey, and of the lower light bluish grey with a shade of flesh colour.

Fledglings.—The upper parts and ear-coverts are uniform dull ashy brown. In other respects they resemble the adults, excepting that the colour of the iris and feet is duller.

On leaving the egg the bird is naked, with eyelids sealed. The feather-tracts and the eyelids are ash grey. The bill is horn colour and the corner of the mouth light yellow. The tongue is flesh colour with two darkish spots, and the inside of the mouth orange buff. The tarsus is lilac flesh, and the toes the same colour, but rather lighter.