THE THltUSHES. 



1 The Fieldfare. 2 The Redwing. 



The Fieldfare, one of the family of Thrushes, a large, handsome bird, known also by the provincial names 

 of Feltyfare, Pigeon Fieldfare, Felty-flier, Grey Thrush, &c. In length it is generally about ten inches, 

 weighing somewhat more than four ounces. The head and hind part of the neck are of a greyish color, 

 the former spotted with black ; the bill is yellowish, but black at, the point, the eyes hazel, the back and 

 lesser wing-coverts chestnut, the breast and sides reddish-yellow, and the throat white; the legs are black, 

 and the tail approaching to the same color. They are found in England about October, and continue, if 

 the weather is moderate, until April, when they return ; but if the winter should prove severe, they fly 

 off to more southern countries. A sudden fall of snow, however, will prevent their flight; and should it 

 continue, great numbers starve. Although this bird is furnished with a hard bill to enable it to feed on 

 seeds, &c, it has no dislike to insects, and indeed seems to prefer them when they can be easily procured. 



The Redwing is very similar to the Throstle or common Thrush, with which it is often seen among the 

 hawthorn trees and ivy bushes, or roaming over the meadows in search of food ; but it is less in size, and 

 has a white streak over the eye, which in that bird is wanting. It is about eight and half inches in length, 

 and of the average weight of two and a half ounces. The bill is of a dusky color, except at the base of 

 the upper mandible, which partakes of a yellowish hue ; the eyes are- dull, the back and upper parts broAvn, 

 the lower part of the breast white marked with dusky lines, the body under the wings reddish-orange, and 

 the legs pale-brown. The song of the Redwing, when heard in its native woods, has such a charming 

 effect, heightened by the rough character of most of the other woodland sounds of a northern country, 

 that the bird has been called the Nightingale of Norway. Both the Redwing and Fieldfare are said by 

 Linnseus to frequent high trees, building their nests near those places where junipers grow. 

 {Ill) 



