REDWING. 35 



basket-maker, a mason, and a plasterer her only 

 instruments her beak and her rounded breast. The 

 outer case of twigs is succeeded by a layer of cow-dung, 

 cemented with saliva. The cup-like chamber is lined 

 with stucco, made from decayed wood, and a circular 

 bowl is constructed sufficiently compact to exclude air 

 and water, as true and as finely finished as if it had been 

 moulded on a potter's wheel, or turned on a lathe." 



The eggs, four or five in number, are of a greenish- 

 blue colour, spotted with deep brown. Several broods 

 are produced in the year, and both cock and hen sit 

 upon the eggs and young. 



" In October, and still more in November, the British 

 or foreign flocks come over to pass the winter in our 

 milder climate, the return journey being observed chiefly 

 in February." (Birds of Ireland?) 



REDWING. 



Turdus Iliacus ; Merle Mauvis ; Rothdrossel. 

 Svvinepipe ; Wind Thrush ; Felt. 



Bill, brownish-black ; upper plumage, dark olive- 

 brown, white streak above the eye ; breast, greyish- 

 white, with brown spots ; under-wing coverts and flanks, 

 bright orange-red. Length, about eight inches. 



The Redwing is our smallest Thrush. It arrives in 

 this country somewhat earlier than the Fieldfare, pro- 

 bably because it feels the approach of winter in the 

 northern regions more keenly than its hardier congener. 



If the Fieldfare most resembles the Missel Thrush, 

 the Redwing and the Song Thrush are very nearly 



