THE THRUSH. 209 



The redwing is a species of thrush, much resembling 

 the common one, but is rather less : it differs also as to 

 the distinctness of the spots on the breast, and in the 

 depth of the colour under the wings ; the white over 

 the eye is also wanting. It is found in greatest abun- 

 dance where the hawthorn is plentiful, the berries of 

 that plant yielding it food. It is a migrative species, 

 appearing in great flocks about the end of September, 

 and frequently accompanied by fieldfares. When the 

 weather is severe, or their food becomes scarce, their 

 flight is continued south. In the hard winter of 1799, 

 vast numbers of them resorted to the west of Engrland, 

 where a sudden fall of snow, unusually deep in that 

 part, cut them off from all supply of food ; and being 

 too weak to attempt a passage across the sea to a warmer 

 climate, thousands of them, and their companions the 

 fieldfares, were starved to death. 



Happily for us, the feathered tribes which leave our 

 land do so only for a time : they appear at the appointed 

 season, calling for the acknowledgment — 



" Beautiful birds of lightsome wing, 

 Bright creatures that come with the voice of spring, 

 We see you array'd in the hues of the morn ; 

 Yet ye dream not of pride, and ye wist not of scorn. 

 Though raiubow-splendour around you glows. 

 Ye vaunt not the hues that Nature bestows : 



