Fieldfares 



It has always been a matter of wonder to me that 

 fieldfares, which are so congenerous to thrushes and 

 blackbirds, should never choose to breed in England : but that they 

 should not think even the Highlands cold, and northerly, and 

 sequestered enough, is a circumstance still more strange and 

 wonderful. . . . 



This bird, though it sits on trees in the day-time, and procures 

 the greatest part of its food from white-thorn hedges ; yea, more- 

 over, builds on very high trees [in its home in Scandinavia], yet 

 always appears with us to roost on the ground. 



They are seen to come in flocks just before it is dark, and 

 to settle and nestle among the heath in our forest. G. W. 



108 



