42 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



song from the undergrowth : a number of redwings, too, 

 were feeding on the surrounding grass fields, when one 

 of their number flew from the rest, and perched on a 

 lowly hawthorn tree, some ten yards away, and com- 

 menced singing. I can only compare the notes of the 

 Redwing to a mixture of Song-thrush and Blackcap 

 melody, the whole being given forth in one long warb- 

 ling strain, varied by several harsh and guttural notes. 

 Well does the Redwing merit the title of * Swedish night- 

 ingale,' a title bestowed upon it by the great and 

 illustrious Linnaeus ; for still more beautiful must be his 

 song when inspired by love — still more charming will 

 its tones appear when given forth amongst the pine-clad 

 hills of his far northern home. He continued singing 

 for a few moments, when an unlucky movement on my 

 part sent him hastily away to the company of his kin- 

 dred on the adjoining meadows. Few birds possess 

 such a variety of call notes as the Redwing. A musical 

 one, something like the call note of the Skylark, is 

 uttered when the birds are passing through the air ; 

 their alarm notes are a yelping cry ; and when settling 

 down to rest, harsh cries like those of the Stormcock, 

 only a trifle more musical, and low squealing notes, 

 varied with peculiar guttural ones, are uttered. 



I have paid great attention to these birds just prior 

 to their departure to the north, and examined carefully 

 their haunts weeks after they have vacated them, but 

 have never yet found any of them tarry here to breed. 

 Redwings are strictly gregarious, they feed together, fly 

 together, roost together, and I am told, for of their nest- 

 ing habits I am totally unacquainted, that in companies 

 they build their nests. Certain it is that none remain 

 to breed near here. Should the reader have the good 

 fortune to discover the nest he will at once identify it ; 



