166 INSESSORES. MERULA. REDWING. 



tended southern migration, and scarcely an individual was 

 afterwards seen in Northumberland. MONTAGU mentions, 

 that, in the hard winter of 1799, vast numbers of these birds 

 resorted to the west of England, where a sudden fall of snow 

 deprived them of all food, and being previously too much 

 reduced for farther travel to a warmer climate, thousands of 

 them, as well as of Fieldfares, perished from starvation- 

 The same accident occurred in the year 1814, the winter of 

 which proved particularly fatal to the Thrush tribe, to Larks 

 and other small birds, as was evinced in the striking diminu- 

 tion of their numbers for some years afterwards. The habits 

 of this bird are very similar to those of the other species. 

 It has a clear and melodious note, and its song, when in its 

 native or summer residence, is said to be scarcely inferior to 

 that of our common Thrush. Upon the approach of spring 

 it returns to the northern provinces of Europe, where it 

 breeds, and passes the summer. It is very abundant in 

 Sweden, Norway, Lapland, and Russia. In these countries 



Nest, &c. it inhabits the woods and thickets adjoining to low or marshy 

 tracts, and builds in maple, birch, and other trees, laying 

 from four to six eggs, of a bluish-green colour, marked with 



Food. blackish-brown spots. In addition to fruits and berries, it 

 feeds upon insects and worms. 



PLATE 45. Fig. 3. Natural size. 



Head and upper parts deep hair-brown, tinged with oil- 

 tion. green. The space between the bill and eye black, in- 



termixed with yellow. Over each eye is a large white 

 streak. Sides of the neck, breast, and flanks white, 

 with numerous large oblong blackish-brown spots. 

 Belly pure white. Under wing-coverts deep reddish- 

 orange. Legs pale wood-brown, inclining to flesh- 

 coloured red. 



The female is similar to the male, except that her colours 

 are not so bright. 



White and cream-coloured varieties are sometimes found. 



