288 INSECTI VOILE. 



the fields in open weather, and in the plantations of timber 

 when there is snow. They continue in the country till May 

 and even till the beginning of June, in some instances ; and 

 though they usually continue in flocks, they sometimes pair 

 before their departure ; but it has not been ascertained that 

 they nestle or rear their broods in any part of the British 

 islands.* 



THE RED-WING THRUSH (Turdm UldCUs). 



The red-wing is the smallest of the British thrushes, mea- 

 suring eight inches in length, about fifteen in the wings, and 

 weighing about two ounces and a half. The red-wing has a 

 considerable resemblance to the song-thrush ; only, besides 

 being smaller and less heavy, it seems a thicker bird from 

 being more closely feathered. The markings on the head, 

 and the red on the flanks and under the wing, however, 

 easily distinguish it from the thrush. The bill is longer in 

 proportion, more pointed, darker at the tip, and yellower at 

 the base of the lower mandible \ a dusky streak extends 

 from the gape to the eye j a white one extends from the bill 

 over the eye to the hinder part of the head ; and there is a 

 corresponding one on the side of the throat. Double rows 

 of dusky spots from each side of the lower mandible form a 

 sort of gorget under the chin : the space inclosed by this 

 and the ground-colour of the breast are the same dull white ; 

 but the breast is much marked with dusky spots, larger but 

 less distinct than those on the thrush. The belly and neck 

 are white with dusky markings, and the flanks and under 

 the wings are brownish red. The upper part is brown, with 



* The field-fare, as Mr. Hewitson informs us, breeds in the forests of 

 Norway, and that too in society. The nests, of which a hundred may 

 be found within a very limited distance of each other, are placed in the 

 spruce-fir, at distances from the ground varying from four to forty feet 

 or upwards. These, as well as the eggs, very much resemble those of 

 the blackbird. M. 



