THE THRUSH GENUS 353 



preference for the open country, and for a more or less nomadic 

 existence. When on the ground, the redwing feeds much like the 

 song-thrush, but, as far as my observation goes, has not the latter's 

 characteristic upright pose. Though this pose is assumed both by the 

 fieldfare and niistle-thrush, it is so with a difference that finds ex- 

 pression in their wilder, freer, and bolder air. The following general 

 description by Macgillivray of the fieldfare's ground habits applies 

 almost equally to the mistle-thrush, the two species sometimes indeed 

 feeding in company. After circling a little the flock will settle on the 

 ground, and " each is seen to stand still with its wings closed, but a 

 little drooping, its tail slightly declined, and its head elevated. It then 

 hops rapidly a few steps forward, stops, picks up a seed, an insect, or 

 other article of food, and again proceeds. They generally move in 

 the same direction, always facing the wind, if it be high, and those in 

 the rear, especially if left far behind, fly up to the front. When 

 alarmed, they all stand still for a short time, some mutter a low 

 scream, and presently all fly off' to a distance, or alight on the tall 

 trees in the neighbourhood." There they may be seen in statuesque 

 attitudes, uttering the familiar tchack ! tchack ! tchack f l 



The song-thrush's method of breaking open snail-shells in order 

 to feast on the unhappy molluscs within is well known and, by the 

 gardening fraternity, well appreciated. The bird seizes between its 

 mandibles the margin of the circular doorway to the snail's house, and 

 flying to some favourite stone or rock, its " anvil," proceeds to hammer 

 the shell upon it until broken in fragments, the "tap, taps" being 

 audible at some distance to those who have ears to hear. The anvil 

 is easily recognised by the broken fragments about it, relics of many 

 a feast, joyous or melancholy, according to the bent of one's 

 sympathies. The blackbird and the redwing will also break open 

 snail-shells, the latter sometimes, instead of beating them on stones, 

 simply cracking them, presumably the smaller kinds, with blows of its 



1 Macgillivray, History of Birds, vol. ii. For the attitudes of the fieldfare on the ground 

 see Plate 36, by A. W. Seaby. 



2z 



