44 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



The second of these Httle wanderers arrives here 

 much later in the season than its aforementioned con- 

 gener. November's blasts have stripped the forest trees 

 of their covering, and the evergreens stand out promi- 

 nent in all the splendour of their glossy garb, ere we see 

 the Fieldfares winging their v/ay through the heavens. 

 Like the Redwing, the Fieldfare, in my opinion, migrates 

 in the night ; for not a single bird will be seen one day, 

 while the next, long before sunrise, they are observed in 

 incredible numbers. I have but small doubt that the 

 Missel-thrush is often taken for the Fieldfare, but their 

 cry may instantly inform the one well versed in the 

 notes of the feathered tribes. It is much more harsh 

 and guttural than either the Missel-thrush or Song- 

 thrush ; besides, the Fieldfares fly in large flocks, an 

 act nev^r observed in the economy of the Song-thrush, 

 and only in the autumn months in the case of the Missel- 

 thrush. The Fieldfare is of a far more decided wander- 

 ing disposition than the Redwing, and this is obvious 

 when we reflect that the bird is, v^hen residing with us, 

 for the most part a berry-feeder. Once arrived in a dis- 

 trict abounding with their favourite food (berries), and 

 they remain until all is consumed. He who would wish 

 to encourage the Fieldfares around him should pay 

 special care to the cultivation of his evergreens, and 

 plant with unsparing hand the mountain ash, service 

 tree, and hawthorn, in all parts of his domain, for it is 

 on the fruit of these and kindred trees that the Field- 

 fare finds his main support. 



When the snow is lying thickly on the ground I see 

 the Fieldfares flying over the dreamy waste near man's 

 habitations, or satisfying their hunger in the berry-bear- 

 ing trees near his threshold, but I but rarely see the 



