56 THE BIRDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. 
They most frequently roost on the ground, but I have 
sometimes aroused them from the old oaks. 
The redwing (7. z/vacus) visits us in greater numbers 
than the fieldfare, and, both species feeding on the same 
food, are often seen mingled together. They both fre- 
quent the same localities, and whilst reaping the benefit 
of an abundant supply of food, are equal sufferers during 
hard weather; indeed, I think they feel the effects of 
scarcity even sooner, and become more quickly emaciated, 
some I have shot in a severe season being mere skin 
and bone. At such times they are more fearless and 
familiar than the fieldfare, and I have approached within 
three yards of some when searching amongst fallen 
leaves for beech-nuts, and this close to Thoresby House. 
Even then they manifested no alarm, not even taking 
wing, but merely hopping a few yards further away, 
and busily continuing their scrutiny. In the same 
winter (1849) I disturbed some out of the garden 
attached to my house in the village ; they flew away on 
my approach, settling in some nut trees a few yards off, 
and uttering at the same time a plaintive cry. In open 
weather I have found them more timid than the field- 
fare, and they perch more in trees than the latter gene- 
rally do. 
The Song Thrush (7. musiews) is a very abundant 
species ; in some of the plantations you may meet with 
a nest every few yards. Like the missel thrush it is an 
early singer, and J have remarked as soon as the Ist of 
February, many perched on the top of furze-bushes in 
the coverts filling the air with music; and even at that 
season they will continue their song from morning to 
evening. Though generally commencing to build in 
March, instances of earlier incubation are not wanting, 
