494 



AVES— FIELDFARE. 



THE FIELDF AREi 



Is known by his yellowish bill, by the dark color of his legs, and by his 

 head being ash color, spotted with black. In the south of Europe they are 

 insipid, tuneless birds, flying in flocks, and excessively watchful to preserve 

 the general safety. All their season of music and pleasure is employed in 

 the more northern climates, where they sing most delightfully, perched 

 among the forests of maples, with which those countries abound. 



The fieldfare is only a visitant in England, making its appearance about 

 the beginning of October, in order to avoid the rigorous winters of the north, 

 whence it sometimes comes in great flocks, according to the severity of the 

 season, and leaves England about the latter end of February, or the begin- 

 ning of March, and retires to Russia, Sweden, Norway, and as far as Siberia 

 and Kamtschatka. They breed in Sweden and Norway. They build their 

 nests in high trees, and sit on trees during the day, but always roost on the 

 ground. During the winter they feed on haws and other berries ; they like- 

 wise eat worms, snails, and slugs. 



Fieldfares are sometimes seen singly, but, in general, form very numerous 

 flocks, and fly in a body; and though they often spread themselves through 

 the fields in search of food, they seldom lose sight of each other, but, when 

 alarmed, fly off, and collect together upon the same tree. 



There is reason, says Mr Bingley, to suppose that the flocks of these birds 

 keep a kind of watch to remark and announce the appearance of danger. 

 On any person approaching a tree that is covered with them, they continue 

 fearless, till one, at the extremity of the bush, rising on its wings gives a 

 loud and peculiar note of alarm. They will then fly away, except one 

 other, which continues till the person approaches still nearer, to certify as it 

 were the reality of the danger, and afterwards he also flies off, repeating 

 the note of alarm. 



The Roman epicures held these birds in such esteem, that they fattened 

 them with crumbs of bread mixed with minced figs, and their flesh is still 

 esteemed a delicacy. 



1 Turdus pilaris, Lin. 



