MERULID2E. 67 
negative sort of evidence. I have often heard Red- 
wings in the spring, just before their departure, 
twittering, or rather chattering, together, very much 
like a flock of Starlings, for which, if not seen, they 
might easily have been mistaken; but I have never 
heard anything like real singing. This negative 
evidence, however, is not worth much against the 
positive assertion of competent judges that they 
have actually heard them sing beautifully, and that 
in this country. 
The nest is similar to that of the Fieldfare, but 
placed nearer the ground.* 
The beak of the Redwing is dark horn-colour, 
except at the base of the lower mandible, which is 
pale yellowish brown; the irides hazel; the whole 
of the upper parts as in the Song Thrush; there is, 
however, a conspicuous streak of nearly pure white 
running from the base of the upper mandible over 
the eye, which will immediately distinguish it from 
that bird; ear-coverts the same colour as the back; 
throat white, with some streaks of dark brown 
mostly on the side; all the under parts white, 
spotted with brown, except a portion of the flanks 
and the under wing-coyerts, which are red, whence 
the name of the bird; legs pale brown; toes and 
claws dark brown. 
The Redwing does not nest in England, but 
* Mag. of Zool. and Bot., vol. ii., p. 3l2. 
