THE REDWING 



TURDUS ILIACUS 



LOCAL names in surrounding counties : 



STATUS IN BRITISH AVIFAUNA : A common and widely 

 distributed winter visitor. 



RADIAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 

 PAUL'S : The Redwing seems everywhere to be a more 

 abundant bird than the Fieldfare, although almost pre- 

 cisely the same remarks apply to its distribution in the 

 Metropolitan area otherwise. It is also much more 

 regular in its habits, and returns to certain spots each 

 autumn, which it makes its headquarters and roosting- 

 places all the winter through. Not only so, but the 

 Redwing is more gregarious. Fieldfares are often met 

 with in scattered parties ; Redwings as frequently live 

 in large flocks ; and as they obtain the bulk of their food 

 upon the ground many open localities are resorted to 

 which would have little attraction for the Fieldfare, which 

 depends so largely for sustenance upon berries. There are 

 many acres of market gardens and open fields scattered 

 about the suburbs where this Thrush congregates in large 

 numbers. I have also seen it repeatedly in the West- 

 End parks St. James's Park, Hyde Park, and Kensington 

 Gardens especially and a fall of snow has always a ten- 

 dency to drive it townwards. In the remoter suburbs 

 it is, of course, much more frequently observed. It is 

 exceptionally common in the Epping area and in the 

 Walthamstow and Wanstead districts. Severe winters 

 often send it to unusual localities. 



There are certain characteristics in the appearance and 

 economy of the Redwing that serve readily to distin- 

 guish it from the Song Thrush, which it not only closely 

 resembles, but with which -it is very often confused. 

 The Redwing is perceptibly smaller, has a pale stripe 

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