1 70 BRITISH BIRDS 



THE RED.THROATED PIPIT. See under Pipits. 



THE REDWING. 



This is a smaller bird than either the Thrush, Blackbird' 

 or Fieldfare, as it measures no more than 8 inches in 

 length, of which the tail takes up 3^ inches. Like the 

 Fieldfare it is a native of the north, and only visits us 

 during the winter season. The bill is nearly an inch long, 

 of a dark horn colour, and yellow at the base. The legs 

 and feet are light grey with a yellowish tinge, especially 

 on the latter. The upper surface of the body is brownish- 

 olive, and the under parts white thickly bestrewn with 

 heart-shaped black spots ; the sides, however, have a reddish 

 hue, and the under wing coverts are orange-tawny-red, 

 whence the bird's English name of Redwing. White, 

 cream-coloured, and variegated specimens have been obtained 

 at various times. 



The Redwing is a migratory bird, travelling south from 

 the far north in October, and then spreading itself over 

 the continent of Europe as far as the shores of the 

 Mediterranean Sea; it reaches the British Isles in large 

 flocks, which are more than decimated before the return 

 homeward of the survivors in March or April. 



The Redwing thrives very well in a large garden aviary, 

 and may be preserved for several years in the house in a 

 cage of suitable dimensions, providing it is not kept in 

 too warm a position. 



It should be fed and treated exactly as recommended 

 Tor the Song Thrush and Blackbird, but is even more 

 accommodating in its appetite than the former, which is 

 tantamount to saying that it will eat and thrive (more or 

 less) on anything that is set before it. 



Little is known about the breeding arrangements of the 

 Redwing, but it is said to place its nest in a low bush, 

 or even on the ground among stones, and to lay five or 

 six bluish-green eggs spotted with brown. The nest has 

 been occasionally met with in the north of Scotland and 

 elsewhere. 



