258 NATURAL HISTORY. 



songster. In the summer it devours all kinds of garden-fruits, 

 especially cherries and raspberries. 



During the breeding season it is very pugnacious, attacking 

 and driving away not only small birds, but the crow, the 

 magpie, or even a prowling cat. The nest is very large, 

 always built in a tree, and containing about five reddish 

 spotted eggs. The length of the bird is eleven inches. 



Pilaris (Lat. like a ball), the Fieldfare. 



The FIELDFARE is properly a native of the cold regions of 

 Europe, and only visits this country during the cold winter 

 months. From its excellence as an adjunct to the table, it is 

 perseveringly sought after, but is so shy, that unless the bird 

 is very busy satisfying its hunger, there is some difficulty in 

 approaching within gun-range. 



It builds in fir or pine-trees, and lays several bluish-green 

 eggs, spotted with brown. Its length is about ten inches. 



The SONG-THRUSH, THROSTLE or MAVIS, is deservedly con- 

 sidered one of our best singing birds. Its powerful and rich 

 notes may be heard even during the month of January, when 

 most of the other singing birds are either silent, or have 

 departed. Its nest is built almost before any other bird has 



