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Everywhere is to be heard the wild cry of the Fieldfare 

 (Turdus pilaris), that bird so characteristic of our sub-alpine 

 regions, which nests everywhere, particularly in the coast dis- 

 tricts, in large colonies ; nor is it anywhere wanting in the thick 

 birch woods, which as a rule clothe the sides of all the moun- 

 tains in the Arctic district. Here are found nest after nest, more 

 or less close to each other, but never more than one on each tree ; 

 where trees are wanting, or where the birds are undisturbed, they 

 take up their quarters upon the verandahs of the houses, and 

 during the nesting season, are somewhat obtrusive with their 

 shrieking and noise. 



In each colony of this kind there are generally found estab- 

 lished one or two pairs of Redwings (Tuvdus iliacus), which are 

 even more obtrusive than their larger cousins. Other small birds 

 also commonly settle down in the midst of the colony, because 

 they well know, that the stout-hearted thrushes will keep all sorts 

 of robbers away, or, at any rate, give them timely notice of the 

 danger. 



In every meadow we commonly find a pair of Blue-headed 

 Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava). This delicately made bird, with 

 its lemon-coloured belly, a near relation of our common White 

 Wagtail (M. alba) inhabits in Norway almost exclusively the 

 higher-lying regions, such as the Saeter (= mountain dairy) in- 

 closures in the southern high Fjelds, or grassy-bottomed spots in 

 the arctic parts. 



In this northern race the hood of the male is dark blue-gray 

 or nearly gray-black (M. cinereocapilla, Savi), whilst in the typical 

 form in the lowlands of mid-Europe, it is ash-coloured with 

 greenish intermixture. 



From the thickets in the gardens, and from the willow bushes 

 in the moister places, may be heard the best songster of the 

 arctic district, the Blue-throated Warbler (Cyanecula siiecica), 

 delivering its weak but harmonious song ; certain notes in which 

 remind one of the sound of a distant bell, and the peasants call 

 it therefore in several places the Little-bell bird. In Norway it 

 is entirely Alpine in its habitat, and never breeds in the low- 

 lands. 



Another remarkable songster, which inhabits the willow 



