20 LITTLE STINT.
British,) that is, the two middle ones and the outer one on each side
being longer than the others, is ash grey brown, the central feathers
being much darker and glossy, with reddish white edges, in autumn
grey margined with bull white, in winter narrowly edged "with "white,
the three outside leathers pure white; upper tail coverts, dusky black
with broad ferruginous margins, in autumn dark brown edged with
dull reddish brown; under tail coverts, white. The legs, which are
slender, and the toes,blackish g r e y ; the outer one very slightly connected
at the base by a membrane to the middle one; claws, dull black.
Of course in the present, as in other similar instances, the changes
of plumage from that of summer to that of winter present ^ r e at
intermediate varieties.
I n the young of the first year the black is brown, and the margins
of the feathers, butt* at first, soon change into nearly white. The eye
streak is more distinct than in the old bird.
