2 THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 



frequently than in the genus Merula, but we have 

 local notes of a white Song-Thrush, of another in 

 which the upper parts are white, and of a third of 

 a uniform buff. 



Two white Fieldfares and one pied bird have 

 come under our notice, besides two pied Redwings. 

 All these were wild specimens. A caged Song- 

 Thrush, belonging to Mr. Coulthard of Blackwell, 

 unexpectedly assumed a dress of a uniform black in 

 its third autumnal moult. In two successive seasons 

 Nature strove to correct the freak, and the bird 

 became much lighter, being, at its death, a pale 

 melanoid form. 



T. Iliacus. Redwing. 



The Redwing is a common winter visitant, 

 generally dispersed through cultivated districts. 

 Owing to its dependence on live food, it is one of 

 the first birds to succumb to severe frost, and many 

 perished in the winters 1879 and 1880. 



An interesting passage of Redwings immediately 

 over the centre of the city of Carlisle was observed, 

 in 1884, by Mr. Cairns, on October 21st. About 

 midnight a stream of Redwings began to pass, and 

 the movement continued for about thirty minutes, 

 the birds seeming to just clear the chimneys, calling 

 loudly, and all flying in a southerly direction. The 

 night w^as calm, but very dark, and the birds ap- 

 peared to be attracted by the street lights. 



T. Pilaris. Fieldfare. 



The Fieldfare is a winter visitant, most abundant 

 from October to March inclusive, and almost as 



