WAITE: VERTEBRATES OF THE WESTERN AINSTY. 87 
BIRDS, 
Turdus viscivorus Linn. Missel Thrush. Resident. In 
winter this species is generally sane Wh with 7: cltacus and 
Tf. pilaris, under the common term ‘Felfer’; when spoken of 
separately it is known as the ee > It is fairly 
numerous, and a large immigration takes place in autumn; the 
numbers are, however, again reduced in early winter. Usually 
very wild and retiring, but bold and pugnacious during the 
breeding season. It breeds in all parts of the district, and for 
this purpose frequents small plantations in the vicinity of houses 
rather than the deeper woods. 
Turdus musicus Linn. Song Thrush. Resident; very 
abundant. In September a large immigration takes place ; the 
visitors, however, move further south at the approach of winter. 
It sutfers much in severe seasons, and in the winter of 1885-6, 
when many were to be found dead beneath the hedges, the 
numbers were so thinned that it was several years before they 
regained their former abundance. This species breeds com- 
. monly throughout the district, and is free from the persecution 
to which 7. meruda is subject. 
I have ascertained that, at any rate, some of the slo which 
breed in the district, remain there throughout the yea 
Turdus iliacus Linn. Redwing. Local name, aes 
Felfer. Winter visitant, very abundant, especially during severe 
weather. Associates in large flocks with 7: pz/aris, and feeds 
principally on the ground. 
ave opened a large number of these birds, and have 
generally found the food to consist of worms, slugs, and other 
animal matter; this is very probably the reason that when 
a severe continued frost prevails, the Redwings are the first 
‘Thrushes’ to succumb. 
iba pilaris Linn. Fieldfare. Local name, Bluetail. 
regular winter visitant, arriving in October, and generally 
eae in April. It sometimes appears in large flocks, but is 
never so numerous as 7. éacus, and is usually much wilder. 
It feeds largely upon the berries of the hawthorn and wild 
rose, and the ground beneath the hedges is often covered with 
their droppings, which are almost the colour of the fruit that 
they have eaten. Unlike Redwings, which roost in trees and 
a ae Fieldfares sleep on the ground, from which they may be 
disturbed by hundreds during the night. ‘They appear to 
frequent certain places to which all the birds in the immediate 
npitieaetet resort. 
March x 
