THE FIELDFARE. 



Tardus pilaris, Linn^us ; La Litorne, ou La Tourdelle, Buffon ; Die Wach- 

 holderdrossel, Bechstein. 



This bird is in size between the two preceding, its length 

 being ten inches, of which the tail occupies four. The beak is 

 an inch long, blackish at the point, otherwise yellow, as well 

 as the opening of the throat and the tongue. The iris is dark 

 brown. The shanks, an inch and a quarter high, are deep 

 brown ; the top of the head and neck, the cheeks, the bottom 

 of the back, and the rump, are ash gray, with some blackish 

 spots at the top of the head ; a white line passes above the 

 eyes ; the back is rust brown ; the throat and half the breast 

 are rusty yellow, strewed with black heart-shaped spots ; the 

 rest of the under part of the body is white, with blackish 

 heart-shaped spots on the sides, and longer ones towards the 

 vent and tail. 



In the female the upper part of the beak is browner, the 

 head and rump of a paler gray, the throat whitish, the back 

 dingy rust colour, and the feet deep brown. 



Of this species there are many varieties, the white, the 

 spotted, the white headed, and the like. 



Habitation. — When wild this species spreads not only all over Europe, 

 but also over Syria and Siberia. In the summer it remains in the northern 

 regions, where it builds in pine forests. It arrives in Germany and Eng- 

 land in prodigious flights in November, and passes the winter in places pro- 

 ducing the juniper ; its return northward takes place in the first fine days 

 of spring. 



In confinement it is treated like the missel thrush, but it is generally 

 only kept as a decoy bird. Heat being injurious, it is kept as far as pos- 

 sible from the stove. 



Food. — When wild it feeds like tne two preceding species. 

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