36 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



now (November) but one or two are seen, and the hedge- 

 rows are entirely deserted, and their harsh grating call 

 notes no longer disturb the air at eventide. Where the 

 birds retire to, is to me a mystery ; but by the latter 

 end of January or first week in February, when the first 

 signs of approaching spring abound on every side, the 

 Song-thrushes are back again in their old haunts. I am 

 of opinion they migrate, like the Redwing, during the 

 night, for one day they are absent, and the next their 

 mellow notes fill the air around with gladness. I have 

 now for several years been struck with this peculiar habit 

 of the Song-thrush, and the Blackbird too, and paid 

 particular attention to the same, but I am, as yet, totally 

 unable to say what causes these movements. 



