84 



MERULID^. 



about the same time with the AYoodcock, in October. It 

 resembles the Song-thrush more than any other bird of 

 the family, but may readily be distinguished even at some 

 distance by the light stripe over the eye, and its bright red 

 under wing-coverts. In some parts of France it is much 

 sought after by the fowler, its flesh being considered by 

 many superior to that of the Quail and Woodcock. It 



/^^ 



%&..^-?. 



^^-rH^ 



THE REDWING. 



owes jjerhaps some of this unfortunate distinction to the 

 fact of its arriving in France in time to fatten on grapes, 

 for in this country it is often too lean to be worth cooking. 

 Being impatient of cold, it is less abundant in the north 

 of England than the south ; but even in the mild climates 

 of Devon and Cornwall, Avhere it congregates in large 

 numbers, it is so much enfeebled by unusually severe 

 weather, as to be liable to be hunted down by boys with 

 sticks, and a Eedwing starved to death is no unfrequent 

 sight in the course of a winter's ramble. As long as the 



