Fig. 25. 



26 BRITISH BIRDS 



name implies and in having the breast striated as well as 

 the flanks. Upper-parts olive-brown, a broad white streak 

 over the eye. Ground colour of the under-parts white except 

 for the buff breast and red flanks. 



43. Fieldfare, blue-felt [Turdus pilaris Linnseus], Common 

 winter visitor and bird of passage. 



Bird. Length 10 in. Nearly as large as the mistle-thrush, 

 and easily recognised by the chestnut- 

 brown back contrasting with the grey 

 head and neck above and the grey rump 

 below. The latter contrasts with the 

 dark tail, especially in flight. The black 

 lores are noticeable. Throat and upper 

 breast buff, lower breast and belly 

 white. Throat striated black, the stria- 

 tions giving place to various shaped spots 

 on the breast and flanks. 



44. Blackbird [Turdus merula merula Linnseus]. Resident 

 nearly everywhere. 



Bird. Length 10*5 in. Easily recognised by the black 

 plumage, orange beak, and yellow eye-rim. The female is 

 mostly amber-brown or dusky, varying probably according to 

 age. The throat paler with rufous striations, a rufous tinge 

 on the fore-breast. The young have the upper-parts brown 

 streaked on the crown and mantle with rufous, and the under- 

 parts tawny-yellow, more or less barred with black. 



Nest. Is found in same positions as that of the song- 

 thrush, but more frequently upon the ground ; and the out- 

 side is built of the same materials. Is lined with mud, upon 

 which is placed a further lining of dry grass. 



Eggs. Usually 4-5. Bluish-green or bluish. Spotted or 

 blotched with red-brown and grey. 

 Av. size, 1*14 x *84 in. Laying begins 

 March-April. Broods 2-3. 



45. Ring-ouzel [Turdus torquatus 

 torquatus Linnaeus]. Summer visitor 

 to hilly districts and bird of passage. 

 Occasionally remains through winter. 

 Bird. Length 10'5 in. Recognised 

 by the dusky plumage and the white 

 crescent on the breast. The female 

 is brown, with a narrower and much 

 duller crescent. The young differ 

 chiefly in having the throat feathers 

 white tipped, the forebreast mottled black and brown, and the 

 rest of the under-parts spotted and barred with black and white. 



Fig. 26. 



