56 THE BIRDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. 



They most frequently roost on the ground, but I have 

 sometimes aroused them from the old oaks. 



The redwing (T. iliacus) visits us in greater numbers 

 than the fieldfare, and, both species feeding on the same 

 food, are often seen mingled together. They both fre- 

 quent the same localities, and whilst reaping the benefit 

 of an abundant supply of food, are equal sufferers during 

 hard weather ; indeed, I think they feel the effects of 

 scarcity even sooner, and become more quickly emaciated, 

 some I have shot in a severe season being mere skin 

 and bone. At such times they are more fearless and 

 familiar than the fieldfare, and I have approached within 

 three yards of some when searching amongst fallen 

 leaves for beech -nuts, and this close to Thoresby House. 

 Even then they manifested no alarm, not even taking 

 wing, but merely hopping a few yards further away, 

 and busily continuing their scrutiny. In the same 

 winter (18i9) I disturbed some out of the garden 

 attached to my house in the village ; they flew away on 

 my approach, settling in some nut trees a few yards off, 

 and uttering at the same time a plaintive cry. In open 

 weather I have found them more timid than the field- 

 fare, and they perch more in trees than the latter gene- 

 rally do. 



The Song Thrush (T. musicus) is a very abundant 

 species ; in some of the plantations you may meet with 

 a nest every few yards. Like the missel thrush it is an 

 early singer, and I have remarked as soon as the 1st of 

 February, many perched on the top of furze-bushes in 

 the coverts filling the air with music ; and even at that 

 season they will continue their song from morning to 

 evening. Though generally commencing to build in 

 March, instances of earlier incubation are not wanting, 



