THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM. 21 



orchards ; when the snow lies on the ground they 

 feed upon the hawthorn berries and on the manure 

 heaps. Should the winter be severe they suffer 

 equally with the Song Thrush. 



RING-OUZEL. 

 Turdus torquatuS) Linn. 



The Ring-Ouzel passes through Rainham on its 

 passage north in spring, south in the autumn, some- 

 times, when food is to be had, staying a few days with 

 us. Always wild, choosing for its perch the tops of 

 trees. 



. BLACKBIRD. 



. * -.1 ""..... ,* ^ 



Turdus merula. Linn. 



The Blackbird frequents our gardens all the year 

 round, at no time does its jet black plumage shine 

 with more lustre than when in mid-winter the snow 

 is lying on the ground, associating with t^he sparrows 

 and feeding where the poultry are fed. 



HEDGE SPARROW. 

 Accentor modularis (Linn.). 



The Hedge Sparrow is another of our garden 

 birds almost always to be seen on looking out of the 

 window, picking up something on grass plots and 

 gravel walks. 



