A BIRDLOVER'S YEAR 



the redwings and fieldfares, coming from 

 Scandinavia and their far northern nesting- 

 grounds. Both these birds are somewhat 

 like a thrush in appearance, the fieldfare 

 especially resembling the missel-thrush ; but 

 neither has ever been known to breed in 

 Britain. Curiously enough, the redwing is 

 usually the first bird to suffer from really 

 severe weather ; and, in spite of its coming 

 from the northern part of the Continent, 

 it seems to be less hardy than its fellow 

 immigrant the fieldfare, and even than our 

 native missel- thrush and mavis. During a 

 protracted frost large numbers of redwings 

 are often found starved to death. 



The snow-bunting, although a few pairs 

 are resident and breed in the Highlands, is 

 not usually to be seen in this district until 

 the advent of winter, and is most abundant 

 during severe weather. The brambling is a 

 regular winter visitant whose movements 

 seem to be largely dependent upon the food- 

 supply. 



Cross-bills are not uncommon, though their 

 movements are highly irregular ; whilst the 

 long-tailed and other tits band together in 

 small parties, bent on foraging expeditions. 



7 



