124 Mr. Markwick’s Céfervations 
Turdus pilaris—/he Fieldfare. 
This bird is very uncertain in its appearance. Some years great 
flocks of them are early to be feen ; other years very few, and thofe 
not till late in the winter: which variation, as to the time of their 
appearing, is caufed, as I fuppofe, by the different degrees of cold in 
the different winters. The earlieft appearance of this bird that I 
have obferved, was on the 26th of Odtober, and the lateft of my 
feeing it was the 8th of April. 
Turdus iliacus—the Red Wing. 
This bird is alfo very uncertain as to the time of its firft appear- 
ance, but feems to be Jater in its vifit than the foregoing; for, ac- 
cording to my journal, the 14th of December is the earlieft of its 
appearance, and in general I did not fee it till January or February. 
In March and the beginning of April, when the weather is fine, 
the Red Wings affemble together on the tops of high trees, and fing 
very melodioufly ; foon after which they leave us, the 13th of April 
being the lateft of my feeing thefe birds. 
Rallus Crex—the Land Rail. 
The firft appearance of this bird I cannot fpeak to with any 
great certainty, having feldom met with it before the feafon for 
fhooting Partridges, September ; though it has twice made its ap- 
pearance in Auguft, once on the 24th, and the other tiñe on the ` 
27th. And how long it continues with us is alfo uncertain; 
though I do not recollect ever to have fegn it fo late in the year as 
November. That it is a bird of paffage, and that its ftay with us 
is fhort, is moft probable; for it does not breed here, and cer- 
tainly leaves us before the winter commences. From its generally 
flying very flow, and to all appearance weakly, one would fuppofe 
it ill adapted to long and quick flight: but that it can exert itfelf 
on 
