14 The Fieldfare. 



As an aviary bird, I found the Redwing ornamental, and most inoflfensive, 

 but by no means lively ; it would sit in one place on the earth without 

 moving for half an hour at a time, still as a breathing statue — a frog in 

 behaviour and appearance ; but, throw a spider or a smooth-skinned caterpillar 

 into the aviary, and, like that Batrachian, it was instantly alert. In spite of 

 its beaut}' I should imagine that the Redwing, if kept in a cage, would be 

 intolerable ; after two ^-ears I wearied of ni}' pair, and sold them for a small 

 sum to a friend, who immediately entered them for a show and carried off 

 a first prize with them. Poor Redwings ! I fear that their life after the}' 

 left my home was not an enviable one. 



Although the breeding of the Redwing in Great Britain needs confir- 

 mation, there seems to be no reason why it should not be possible, inasmuch 

 as it has been proved that stragglers have remained with us throughout the 

 summer. It has been known to nest in the Faroes. 



Family— TURDID.^. Subfaviily— TURD I N.^. 



The Fieldfar?:. 



Turdus pilaris, LiNN. 



RESPECTING the Geographical distribution of this species, one cannot do 

 better tlian quote Scebolim. he says: — -"A regular winter visitant to the 

 British Islands, the Fieldfare is commonlj' distributed over the cultivated 

 districts, and as far on the uplands as the mountain farms extend. The 

 arrival of Fieldfares in Scotland is usually noticed first in the eastern counties, 

 as it is quite natural to expect it would be, for their path in autumn is 

 soulli and .south-westwards. A few birds are said to be found on the Orkneys 

 thnnighoul the year, but they do not breed there. On the Hebrides the Fieldfare 



