322 THE THRUSH FAMILY 



Eggs 4 or 5, rarely 6, clear blue in ground colour, and generally marked with some 

 fine or bold spots of almost black. Varieties are boldly blotched with deep red- 

 brown, or have streaks, and in some cases ashy shell markings, while some eggs are 

 entirely without markings. (PI. C.) Average size of 50 British eggs, I'll x '82 in. 

 [28-4 x 20'9 mm.]. Laying sometimes begins in February, but generally in the 

 latter part of March. Incubation is chiefly performed by the hen, and lasts till 

 the 14th or 15th day. Two or three broods are reared during the season. The 

 young remain a fortnight in the nest. [F. c. B. jr.] 



5. Food. Worms, insects, snails, grey slugs (Agriolimax agrestis), berries, 

 fruit, " but to a much less extent than the blackbird " (Newstead), and in hard 

 weather shell-fish. The young are fed by both parents, chiefly on worms and 

 insects, also snails, slugs, and their eggs. [F. B. K.] 



6. Song Period. From September or later to July. The 22nd of the latter 

 month is the latest date in my notes. The date of beginning in autumn appears to 

 vary considerably. In addition to the pause during the moult (July- August), there 

 is a pause or slackening in November, which is, however, not apparent " in very 

 favourable localities" (C. and H. Alexander, British Birds, L 369). [F. B. K.] 



CONTINENTAL SONG-THRUSH [Turdus musicus musicus, 

 Linnaeus.] 



1. Description. Differs from the British breeding race chiefly in the more 

 olive and less rufous colour of the upper surface, especially the rump. (Hartert ; 

 Vogel der Paldarktischen Fauna, i. p. 651.) [F. B. K.] 



2. Distribution and Migration. This form is found during the breeding 

 season in Western Asia, and throughout Europe, except in the extreme north, 

 Spain, Southern Italy, and Greece. It is a winter migrant in Great Britain, 

 Southern Europe, North Africa, the Canaries, and in Persia. [F. c. R. J.] 



REDWING [Turdus iliacus, Linnaeus. 1 French: grive-mauvis ; German, 

 Weindrossel ; Italian, tordo sassello]. 



I. Description. Distinguished from the mistle- and song-thrush by the rust- 

 red colour of the flanks, and in having the breast indistinctly striated, instead of 

 spotted, with black: the flanks are striated. (PI. 38.) Length 8'5 in. [216 mm.]. 

 The upper parts are olive-brown, relieved by a broad white superciliary streak 

 1 Strictly Turdus mrisicus, but this name has generally been applied to the song- thrush. 



