REDWING 



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the redwing may be distinguished by the presence of a broad white 

 streak above each eye, and by the rich orange-red of the flank-feathers 

 and under wing-coverts. The plumage of the female is indistinguishable 

 from that of her partner ; and v'oung birds closely resemble the adults, 

 although recognisable by the feathers of the back and wing-coverts 

 bearing yellowish -white lozenge -shaped spots near the tips. The 

 geographical range of the redwing includes in summer the greater part 

 of northern Europe and Asia, from the Atlantic to the Pacific sea- 

 board. Northwards its breeding-range extends to the Arctic Circle in 

 Scandinavia and to latitude 7 i 

 in the Yenesei valle}-, although 

 not beyond 68 in that of the 

 Petchora. In some of these 

 high northern latitudes the bird 

 breeds indeed beyond the forest- 

 zone, and has therefore perforce 

 to nest on the moss of the 

 tundra. Iceland, the Faroes, 

 and Greenland form the western 

 limits of the breeding-area of 

 the redwing, which is continued 

 southwards to eastern Prussia 

 and Hungary, so that there is 

 no apparent reason why the 

 species should not also breed 

 in Scotland. In winter red- 

 wings wander so far south as 

 Turkestan, Persia, and the south 

 of Europe, arriving on the east 

 coast of Great Britain sometimes 

 as early as the latter part of 



August, although generally not till two months later, and thence spread- 

 ing westwards over the whole of the United Kingdom. Their sojourn 

 with us usually terminates in March or April, but may occasionally be 

 prolonged till May. Redwings arrive in huge flocks, and continue in 

 companies throughout the winter- months, usually keeping to open 

 country, and having the general habits of the song-thrush, although 

 they are scarcely ever heard to sing during their sojourn on British 

 soil. The redwing has been known to interbreed with the fieldfare ; 

 and hybrids between other kinds of thrushes have been recorded. 



REDWING. 



