REDWING FIELDFARE BLACKBIRD. 3 



BED WING (Turdus iliacus). 



Migrant ; October to April. Generally distributed. 



Haunts. Cultivated districts and grass-lands ; roosting in 

 woods. 



Observation. In appearance a lesser Song Thrush, but 

 differs in decided white eye-stripe and chestnut-red on flanks. 



Plumage. Upper parts olive-brown, broad white stripe over 

 eye ; under parts whitish, streaked with dark brown ; under 

 wing-coverts and Hanks chestnut-red. Bill dark brown. Legs 

 pale brown. Length 8| in. Female, less bright than male. 

 Young, bpotted on upper and under parts. 



Language. Song, a pleasing fluty ditty, like "trui" repeated 

 two or three times, then " tri-tri-tri " ; seldom heard in 

 England. Call-note, " see-you." Another note like "chack." 



Habits. Gregarious. Flight rapid, much resembling the 

 last. Usually frequenting the same locality year after year. 



Food. Insects, snails, worms, various berries. 



Nidification. Breeds in Northern Europe. 



FIELDFARE OR FELT (Turdus pilaris). 



Migrant ; October to May. Generally distributed. 



Haunts. Meadows and fields ; roosting in trees. 



Observations. Might be confounded with Missel Thrush, but 

 is smaller, and the grey rump, contrasted with dark wings and 

 tail, is conspicuous. 



Plumage. Head, nape, and rump slate-grey. Mantle chest- 

 nut-brown. Wings and tail dark brown. Throat and breast 

 golden-brown streaked with black. Flanks marked with deep 

 brown. Belly and under wing-coverts white, conspicuous in 

 flight. Bill yellowish. Legs dark brown. Length 10 in. 

 Female less bright. Young spotted above and below. 



Language. Song, " a wild desultory warble," not heard in 

 England. Another note a harsh " chak." 



Habits. Gregarious. Flight strong, rapid, and rather un- 

 dulating. Vagrant in their movements. When feeding the 

 flock always moves in the same direction and not at random, 

 and when perched they always face one way. Extremely 

 clamorous just before roosting time. 



Food. Insects and worms ; soft fruits in season. In 

 winter many kinds of berries, especially those of the juniper 

 and hawthorn. 



Nidification. Same as last. 



BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula). 



Partially migrant. Generally distributed, and common 

 throughout Great Britain. 



