THE FIELDFARE. 77 



founded even at a distance, owing to the predominant 

 bluish tinge of its upper plumage. In the west of 

 England, where the Thrush is called the Greybird, to 

 distinguish it from its ally the Blackbird, the Fieldfare is 

 known by the name of Bluebird, to distinguish it from 

 both. It is a migratory bird, spending its summer, and 

 breeding, in the north of Europe, and paying us an annual 



THE FIELDFARE. 



visit in October or November. But it is impatient of cold, 

 even with us, for in winters of unusual severity it migrates 

 yet farther south, and drops in upon our meadows a second 

 time in the spring, when on its way to its summer 

 quarters. Fieldfares are eminently gregarious ; not only 

 do they arrive at our shores and depart from them in 

 flocks, but they keep together as long as they remain, nor 

 do they dissolve their society on their return to the north, 



