THE FIELDFAHK. 34iJ 



like the Missel Thrush, and is chiefly prized by the amateur 

 as a decoy. Its cage must not be hung too near the fire, as, 

 being a native of the north, heat is injurious to it. 



Food. In a state of nature, it lives in summer on worms 

 and insects, in autumn and winter on berries, especially juniper 

 berries. 



In confinement it may be fed like the two preceding species; 

 or better still, with bread, crushed barley, and grated carrots. 



With regard to the diseases of this bird, and the mode of 

 taking it, the same remarks apply as to the two preceding 

 species. 



Attractive Qualities. The Fieldfare's song is insignificant, 

 being merely a shrill unpleasant twittering; nor would it 

 deserve a place among Cage-birds, were it not useful to bird- 

 catchers as a decoy. Its call is Sha-sha-shak I Quiri-quiri! 



ADDITIONAL. This bird appears to form a sort of connecting 

 link between the uniformly coloured Thrushes, or Ouzels, and 

 the Spotted Thrushes, having, as MACGILLIVRAY observes, " the 

 form of one and the colouring of the other set, to either of which, 

 therefore, it may be referred. It is rather a stout bird, to which 

 the length of the wings and tail impart a considerable degree of 

 elegance." It is variously known as the Feltyfare, Fieldfar, 

 Feltyflier, and Grey Thrush, in Gaelic Liath-Troisg. The 

 naturalist above named, furnishes us with the following particu- 

 lars as to its haunts in this country . " About the end of Oc- 

 tober, sometimes in the beginning of November, the Fieldfares 

 make their appearance in the northern and eastern parts of Bri- 

 tain, where some of them remain all the winter and spring, while 

 others disperse over the country. In the wooded parts they rest 

 at night on tall trees, at least I have seen them so roost at night 

 after sunset; but MONTAGUE affirms that they repose on the 

 ground, which may be the case, and certainly they must sleep 

 there or on rocks in the Hebrides, where they are met with, 

 during the cold season. I know no place where one can study 

 their habits more effectively than in the neighbourhood of Edin- 

 burgh, where they are met with in flocks of from several hundreds 

 to three or four individuals. When the ground is covered with 

 enow, the Fieldfares betake themselves to marshy meadows, 

 where they are often shot in great numbers ; for though repeatedly 

 annoyed, they return at short intervals, and persons stationed 

 here and there along the hedges, are sure of obtaining many 

 chances. Should the pools and brooks be frozen, they repair to 

 the woo is and hedges, where they obtain a supply of hawthorr, 



