FIELDFARE. 37 



Last year I heard it again, proceeding from a great 

 flock at Hollywood ; a similar, but even sweeter, chorus 

 may often be heard from flocks of that charming 

 songster, the Linnet. The common note of this bird, 

 however, has been well described by Mr. Slaney as " a 

 sort of inward deep-drawn sigh, like an attempt at ven- 

 triloquism." I have heard a schoolboy describe it as 

 " the screech of a pencil on a slate," and thought it a 

 good deal like the reality. We hear it constantly over- 

 head as we walk along the frost-bound road, and, 

 looking up, see the Redwings, something like Starlings, 

 scudding by, or perching in the highest branches of the 

 trees ; at night great flocks rest together in the ever- 

 greens and thickets all through the country. 



As it does not breed in this country, it is unnecessary 

 to describe its nest and eggs. 



The Redwing arrives from the north rather late in 

 October, and usually departs in March. 



FIELDFARE. 



Turdus Pilaris ; Merle Litorne ; Wachholder Drossel ; 

 Juniper Thrush. 



Felt ; Big Felt ; Feltyfare ; Blue Felt. 



Bill, brownish-black ; head, nape, and lower part 'of 

 neck, ash-grey ; upper part of back, chestnut-brown ; 

 breast, light yellowish-red, with dark spots ; white streak 

 above the eye ; abdomen and under-wing coverts, white. 

 Length, about ten inches. May be distinguished from 

 the Missel Thrush by the bluish colour on the back of 

 the head, darker back, and white lower plumage. 



