324 THE THRUSH FAMILY 



England from the neighbouring shores of the Continent (cf. Nelson, B. of Yorks., 

 1907, pp. 6-8 ; and Ticehurst, B. of Kent, 1909, pp. 6, 7). The first arrivals are late 

 in September or early in October, but Ireland and even some western districts of 

 Great Britain are not reached to any extent till the latter part of October (cf. 

 Forrest, Fauna N. Wales, 1907, p. 71 ; and Ussher and Warren, B. of Ireland, 

 1900, p. 3; and B. 0. C. Migration Reports, iii. p. 188, and iv. pp. 180, 181). The 

 first appearance of the redwing is followed by an exodus from our south coasts of 

 those individuals which are birds of passage on their way to the other side of the 

 Channel. Both immigration and emigration are at their height in November, and 

 the latter especially is renewed later in the winter on every approach of very severe 

 weather. The corresponding return migrations set in in February, are at their 

 height in March, and dwindle in April. A few redwings usually remain in parts 

 of Great Britain till early May (cf. Ticehurst, loc. cit. : and B. 0. C. Migration 

 Reports, i. p. 124 ; ii. p. 177 ; iii. p. 179 ; and iv. p. 171). The species migrates in 

 parties or in flocks of moderate size. It is chiefly a nocturnal traveller, and is 

 often to be heard calling at night. [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Does not breed in the British Isles. [F. c. R. j.] 



5. Food. Worms, insects, snails, berries. " On their arrival they will some- 

 times resort for a few days to the fields of turnips for cole seed " (J. Cordeaux, Birds 

 of the Humber District). [F. B. K.] 



6. Song Period. In this country one may hear flocks warbling in chorus, 

 and individuals practising their spring song early in the year, but the latter in its 

 finished form is heard only in the birds' summer haunts. [F. B. K.] 



FIELD FARE \Turdus pildris, Linnaeus. Blue felt, felfer, blue-rump, chucker. 

 French, grive-litorne ; German, Wacholderdrossel ; Italian, tordela gazzina]. 



I. Description. Distinguished at once by its large size length 10 in. 

 [254 mm.] and the rich chestnut-brown of the back standing in sharp contrast 

 with the light slate-grey head, hind-neck, and rump ; while the breast is of a rich 

 buff colour striated with black, and the flank feathers have black shield-shaped 

 markings and broad fringes of white, which, in newly moulted specimens, more or 

 less obscure the black pattern. The contrast of the grey rump with the dark 

 tail helps to distinguish the species when in flight. (PI. 36.) The grey of the 

 crown is relieved by lanceolate shaft-streaks of black, conspicuous only during the 

 spring and summer, when the feather-fringes of the autumn have become abraded. 

 The grey of the rump is of a uniform hue. The interscapulars and scapulars are of 



