THE BIKDS OF ICELAND. 



Turdus iliacus, Linn. Eedwing. 



Native name : ' Sk6gar];rostur ' (Wood- thrush). 



A SUMMER visitant in considerable numbers, ap- 

 pearing as early as March, but usually somewhat later, 

 and remaining in the country till the beginning of 

 October. Odd individuals are to be seen as late as 

 November. It frequents birch woods, or birch scrub 

 faute de mieux. Most of the Iceland birch woods are 

 now reduced to the condition of scrub, partly by 

 wasteful felling, partly by carelessly allowing sheep 

 to injure the young trees. In the autumn (August) 

 Eedwings visit the gardens around farm-houses far 

 from any birch woods. I saw nests with five and 

 four fresh eggs, and also young birds already out of the 

 nest, on June 27, 1885, in the north; also, on August 

 17, 1894, young birds barely fledged. Even when 

 nothing happens to the first laying {i.e. in the shape 

 of a raven) I fancy that a second brood is sometimes 

 produced. The nest is usually placed on the ground 

 at the foot of a birch tree or bush — sometimes, where 

 two or three stems rise from a ' stool,' in the middle 

 of them a few inches above the ground — sometimes 



