46 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



tolerably common in most parts of the country. 

 Towards the end of April it disappears, retiring 

 northward to its summer haunts. 1 



During its stay with us it frequents the open 

 country, feeding on the small meadow slug (Limax 

 agrestis), of which it seems particularly fond, varying 

 its diet with worms and beetles. As the weather 

 becomes colder, and the ground harder, it resorts 

 to the hedgerows to devour the fruits of the dog- 

 rose and whitethorn, commonly known as " heps 

 and haws," and in such situations, traces of its visits 

 are always to be found in the bright red droppings 

 which are noticeable on the ground hard by. The 

 berries of the ivy and rowan-tree (Pyrus aucuparia), 

 are also eagerly devoured, and in the absence or 

 scarcity of such food, Fieldfares have been observed 

 to attack turnips, digging at the exposed portion of 

 the roots, and chipping off small pieces, which they 

 swallowed with avidity. Several birds which were 

 shot while thus engaged, were found to have the 

 stomach completely filled with such chips. It is 

 probably not often that the Fieldfare is driven to 



1 We once shot one out of a flock on the 4th May, but consider 

 this a late date at which to find the bird here. 



