SONG THRUSH. 75 



had betaken themselves, and I have observed many hundreds re- 

 sorting on these occasions to the beach at high water mark, where 

 they appear to pick up small marine animals by digging little 

 holes in the rejectamenta thrown up by the tide. Along this 

 mound, which was covered with a sprinkling of snow, the marks 

 of the Fieldfares had a very curious appearance. 



Instances of the Fieldfare breeding in Scotland have been vaguely 

 hinted at by Yarrell in his account of the species, but these appear 

 to want corroboration. Numerous flocks may be seen some seasons 

 as late as May, but these are doubtless birds that have been much 

 farther south, and are now on their return journey. On such 

 occasions, if carefully watched, it will be found that as a large 

 flight passes overhead, the birds, on seeing a suitable field, will 

 wheel round, and, after a short survey, alight, some on the neigh- 

 bouring fir-trees, where they at once commence pruning their 

 feathers, others on the green sward, across which they hop actively 

 in search of a meal. I have observed hundreds together near 

 Moffat on the 29th of April, and small numbers were seen last 

 year by Dr Dewar, on Loch Awe side, at the foot of Ben Cruachan, 

 in the first week of May. 



The Fieldfare is well known on the Outer Hebrides, but does 

 not arrive there until mid- winter; it is chiefly observed in the 

 pasture grounds lying on the west side of North Uist and Ben- 

 becula. It is likewise a regular visitor to the Orkneys, a few 

 remaining on these islands all the year, but it has not been known 

 to breed there. 



THE SONG THRUSH. 



TURDUS MUSICUS. 

 Smeorach. 



AN abundant species over the whole of Scotland, extending even to 

 the most desolate places. 



The Thrush is well known throughout North and South Uist, 

 Benbecula, and Barra by its Gaelic name, Smeorach, and is per- 

 manently resident. The nest is found among heath-clad rocks, 

 and in turf walls trees and shrubs being unknown in these islands. 

 In August and September of this year (1868) I observed numbers of 

 Thrushes in North Uist taking shelter in dry stone dykes, and 



