The Fieldfare. 223 



us ; but it is said to be very pleasing. It is delicate 

 eating ; and the Komans held it in such estimation, that 

 they kept thousands of them together in aviaries, and 

 fed them on a sort of paste made of bruised figs and 

 flour, to improve the delicacy and flavour of their flesh. 

 Under this management these birds fattened, to the 

 great profit of their proprietors, who sold them to 

 Koman epicures for three denarii, or about two shillings 

 sterling each, which at that early period was a large 

 price. 



THE FiELDFAKE, (Turdus Claris,) 



Is a well-known bird in this country. Fieldfares fly in 

 flocks, together with the redwing and starling, and 

 change their haunts according to the season of the year. 

 They abide with us in winter, and disappear in spring, 

 so punctually, that after that time not one is to be seen. 

 The flesh is esteemed a great delicacy, and is highly 

 prized in Germany, where it is known as the Kramms- 

 vogel, and is sold in the markets of Westphalia by the 

 dozen. Their favourite food is the juniper-berry, 

 whence its German name. The head is ash-coloured, 

 and spotted with black : the back and coverts of the 

 wings of deep chesnut colour ; the rump cinereous ; and 

 the tail black, except the lower part of the two middle 

 feathers, which are ash-coloured, and the upper sides of 

 the exterior feathers, which are white. They collect in 

 large flocks ; and it is supposed they keep watch, like 



