46 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



WHITE'S THRUSH. Merula Whitei. This species is one 

 of our rarities, and was named after the Rev. G. White, of 

 Selborne, whose Natural History of that place has delighted 

 so many readers. Of the habits of this bird we can give 

 no information. In Japan it is said to inhabit high moun- 

 tains. 



THE FIELDFARE. Merula pilaris. This, as our readers 

 are aware, is a winter visitant in Britain, and breeds in 

 more northern latitudes. To Mr. Hewitson we are indebted 

 for the first authentic published details upon the subject. 

 In Norway he found these birds building in societies ; two 

 hundred nests and upwards might be found within a small 

 circuit of the forest, built at various heights above the 

 ground, from four to thirty or forty feet, or more, and 

 resembling most nearly those of the Ring Ousel, being com- 

 posed of sticks, coarse grass, weeds gathered wet and matted 

 together with a small quantity of clay, and lined with a 

 thick bed of fine dry grasses. The eggs, four, five, or six 

 in number, resemble those of the Blackbird, and even more 

 so those of the Eing Ousel and Redwing ; " Indeed," says 

 Mr. Hewitson, " so closely do the eggs of the four species 

 resemble each other, that a drawing of one might apply to 

 all." 



