318 THE THRUSH FAMILY 



of the feather. The buff and black spots on this region of the body are conspicuous. 

 Lesser and median coverts dark brown, with broad shaft-streaks of buff. Major 

 coverts and inner secondaries with broad margins of buff-yellow. Rump pale 

 ochreous brown, with broad shaft-streaks of buff, and black tips. Upper tail- 

 coverts dusky brown, with central area of buff, and margined with buff. Inner 

 primaries with a narrow free edge of dull white. The fledgling mistle-thrush is 

 distinguished from the young song-thrush by the much paler ground colour, the 

 very broad streaks of buff on the head, back, and wings, the pattern on the rump 

 and tail-coverts, and the sharply denned black spots on the back. Soon after 

 departure from the nest, the buff-coloured areas bleach, [w. p. p.] 



2. Distribution. The British Isles, the Continent of Europe, -except in 

 the extreme north of Scandinavia and Russia and the Mediterranean Isles. In 

 North-west Africa and the temperate parts of Asia other local forms are found. 

 In the southern part of its range it is exclusively a bird of the mountains. In the 

 British Isles it has increased its range of late years, though scarce in the north of 

 Scotland, and has bred in the Orkneys occasionally, as well as in Skye and others 

 of the Hebrides. In Ireland it is also increasing its range. [F. c. R. J.] 



3. Migration. This species is resident throughout the year within our area, 

 and a large proportion of the birds are, in all probability, stationary. Other in- 

 dividuals are more or less migratory. In many parts local movements are the only 

 ones to be observed ; noticeable changes in level, for instance, take place in Wales 

 and elsewhere (cf. Forrest, Fauna N. Wales, 1907, p. 68). In Great Britain there 

 is a considerable immigration from Northern Europe in late autumn, and a return 

 journey in spring. A slight emigration from the south coast also takes place in 

 autumn, with a corresponding spring immigration, birds of this species being 

 recorded at the lighthouses of the western half of that coast in November and 

 March. Many individuals take part in both sets of movements, and are, therefore, 

 probably birds of passage from North Europe on their way to winter quarters south 

 of the English Channel. Migration towards the milder parts of our islands, and 

 also across the Channel, is resumed on the approach of severe winter weather 

 (cf. Nelson, B. of Yorks., 1907, p. 1 ; Ticehurst, B. of Kent, 1909, pp. 1, 2; and 

 B. 0. C. Migration Reports, iii. pp. 180 and 187). In Ireland mere local movements 

 are the rule, but there is a general tendency towards the south-west on the 

 approach of winter, and a slight immigration from Great Britain at the same 

 season. Corresponding return movements take place in spring (cf. Ussher and 

 Warren, B. of Ireland, 1900, p. 1). A gregarious migrant. [A. L. T.] 



