no 



CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



more commonly the number than four, and that even six was very frequent, 

 similar to those of the Blackbird, and still more to those of the Ring Ouzel." 



The eggs are very 



THE REDWING. 

 The Redwing (Tardus Hiatus) is eight inches and a half long and thirteen and a half broad. 

 Its wing measures four and a half, and tail three and a half inches. Upon the upper part of the body 

 the plumage is of a greenish brown, the under side whitish, the sides of the breast bright rust-red, 

 and the throat yellowish, marked all over with triangular and round dark brgwn spots. The female 

 is of a lighter colour than her mate. The back of the young is greenish, spotted with yellow, and 

 their lower wing-covers rust-red ; the eyes of all are reddish brown ; the beak black, except at the 

 base of the lower mandible, which is grey ; the foot is of a reddish hue. This species is also an' 



THE redwing ( Turdus ilacus). 



inhabitant of Northern Europe, but usually appears in the more southern portions of the continent 

 at the close of autumn. Its winter migration extends as far as Northern Africa ; it is also met with 

 in Asia, but has never, we believe, been seen in an easterly direction beyond Irkutzk. 



It generally arrives in Great Britain about October, appearing in large flocks; and great numbers 

 frequently perish, should the winter be extremely severe. "The Redwings," says Yarrell, in his 

 excellent "History of British Birds," " are much less inclined to feed on berries than most of the other 

 species of this genus, and should the resources obtained by their search on the ground be closed 

 against them by long-continued frost and snow, the Redwings are first to suffer. During such severe 

 seasons as in 1799, 1814, and 1822, hundreds have been found almost starved, alike unable to 

 prosecute their journey south to more congenial countries, or to bear the rigour of this." Whether 

 such mortality resulted from the intensity of the cold, or the long continuance of snow upon the 

 ground, may be matter for speculation. 



