COMMON BRITISH BIRDS '41 



patch of white on forehead. The constant flicking of 

 the red tail is characteristic. 



Nest. Usually in a hole in a wall. 



Eggs. Pale blue. 



Haunts. Edges of woods, especially where there 

 are walls or ruins. 



REDWING. (W.M. Thrushes.) 



Size. Smaller than Blackbird. 



Colour. Above olive-brown. A broad white streak 

 over the eye ; ear-coverts dark brown with yellowish 

 streaks ; sides of the neck, breast, and under parts dull 

 white, with black spots small on the throat, larger lower 

 down ; centre of breast unspotted ; sides of body and 

 under wing-coverts rich red-chestnut. 



Note. Very rarely heard to sing in this country, the 

 note uttered during winter being merely a plaintive 

 ' yapping ' call-note. 



Distinguishing Feature. The red on the sides, though 

 the white eyebrow, contrasting with the dark ear-coverts, 

 often shows up at a distance when the red cannot be 

 distinguished. The Song Thrush has no white over tho 

 eye. Does not breed in British Isles. 



Haunts. Fields, roosting in shrubberies, &c* 



RING OUZEL. (S.M. Thrushes.) 

 SMB. Blackbird. 



Colour. Male : black all over with pale edgings to 

 the feathers. On the breast a crescent-shaped patch of 

 white. Female : browner, crescent not so clear. 



Note. Somewhat similar to the Blackbird's, but not 

 nearly so mellow. 



Distinguishing Feature. The white crescent and 

 rusty edging to feathers. 



Nest and Eggs. Much like those of the Blackbird. 



Haunts. The Ring Ouzel is an inhabitant of moors 

 and hillsides, where it arrives about the middle of 

 March, departing again in the autumn. 



ROBIN. (R. Thrushes.) 

 Size. Sparrow. 



Colour. Above olive-brown, base of forehead, throat, 

 and breast bright brick-red, lower parts dirty white. 

 The young Robin in its first plumage is quite, unlike 

 its parents, being yellowish-brown with spots of lighter 



