280 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Description Observations. 



they eye distinguishes it from that bird ; the 

 belly is not quite so much spotted, and the sides 

 of the body and the feathers under the wings are 

 tinged with red, which is its peculiar character- 

 istic, and from whence it derives its name. 



The redwings make their appearance a few- 

 days before the fieldfares, and are generally seen 

 with them after their arrival: they frequent the 

 same .places, eat the same food, and are very si- 

 milar to them in manners. Like the field-fares, 

 they leave this country in the spring, conse- 

 quently their song, which is said to be very pleas- 

 ing, is quite unknown to us. The female builds 

 its nest in low bushes or hedges, and lays six eggs, 

 of a greenish blue colour, spotted with black. 

 This bird was also esteemed as a delicacy by the 

 Roman epicures. 



November 7, 1785, a redwing was taken up at 

 six o'clock in the morning, which, on its approach 

 to land, had flown against the lighthouse at 

 Tynemouth, and was so stunned that it fell to 

 the ground and died soon after. The light most 

 probably had attracted its attention. 



THE BLJCKBIRD. 



THIS is the largest song-bird found in Eng- 

 land, and one of the first that proclaims the ge- 

 nial spring by his shrill harmonious voice. The 

 cock, when kept in a cage, whistles and sings all 



