FIELDFARE. 20I 



US, but confirmation is lacking ; even Dr. Saxby's account of 

 the nest he found in North Wales is discredited. 



In winter the upper parts are olive-brown, the under whitish ; 

 there is a pale superciliary streak, the ear-coverts are brown 

 and the lores black. The spots on the breast and chestnut 

 flanks form striations. The bill and irides are dark brown, the 

 legs pale brown. The young are spotted rather than streaked 

 on both upper and under parts and the feathers of the back 

 have buff central streaks. Length, 8*5 ins. Wing, 4*5 ins. 

 Tarsus, i'2 ins. 



Fieldfare. Twdus pilaris Linn. 



The distribution of the Fieldfare is very similar to that of the 

 Redwing, but in Scandinavia the bird nests further south. In 

 our Islands it is a winter visitor and bird of passage, arriving 

 about the middle of September onwards, even well into winter. 

 Passage birds return in March, but many emigrants do not 

 leave until April, whilst laggards are noted in June. 



The Fieldfare (Plate 83) is a large, distinctive bird ; its slate- 

 grey head and rump, the latter very noticeable in flight, contrast 

 with the warm brown of its back, but even when we cannot see 

 its colours the harsh flight call, tsak, tsak, is unlike the note of 

 any other thrush. The gregarious "Felt" or "Blueback" 

 frequents open country and is nomadic, its movements regu- 

 lated by food supply ; so long as the weather is mild and insect 

 food abundant a flock will remain day after day in the same fields, 

 but during frost it wanders so soon as the berries are devoured 

 in one district. It is found in the lowlands and on the hill- 

 sides to a fair altitude, and in frost takes refuge on the shores 

 and marshes. The bird flies direct, at no great speed, with 

 strong wing beats alternating with short intervals with closed 

 wings ; when moving ground the flock straggles in loose 

 formation, and when a long tiight is contemplated rises to a 



