REDWING THRUSH. 145 



vals, during which they descend a little. When wounded, they 

 endeavour to run off, scream loudly, and on being seized, peck 

 at the hand. Under similar circumstances the Song Thrush, 

 which is the gentlest of all our species, is generally silent, and 

 does not attempt to bite, but submits quietly to its fate. 



Flocks are often observed to remain during the greater part 

 of'the season in the same neighbourhood, although sometimes 

 they suddenly disappear. It is not until the end of April, or 

 the beginning of May that they take their final departure for 

 the season ; and in the island of Harris I have seen individuals 

 remain so late as the 25th of May, although I never observed 

 one in July or August, and should not have supposed that any 

 breed there, had not Mr Bullock stated that he had found a 

 nest in the neighbourhood of Rodill. According to Temminck 

 and other writers, they pass the summer in the northern coun- 

 tries of Europe, preferring bushes and thickets in the neigh- 

 bourhood of marshes. 



The flesh of this species is perhaps inferior to that of the 

 Song Thrush and Fieldfare, but it is excellent notwithstanding, 

 and by no means bitter, as some have pretended. 



Mr Hewitson (Mag.of Zool. andBot.) states that in the course 

 of his journey in Norway " the Redwing was but seldom seen, 

 and then perched upon the summit of one of the highest trees, 

 pouring forth its delightfully wild note. It was always very 

 shy, and upon seeing our approach would drop suddenly from 

 its height, and disappear amongst the underwood. Its nest, 

 which we twice found with young ones (although our unceas- 

 ing endeavours to obtain its eggs were fruitless), was similar to 

 that of the Fieldfare, but nearer the ground. The Redwing 

 is called the nightingale of Norway, and well it deserves the 

 name." 



VOL. II. 



