74 BROWN BIRDS WITH SPOTTED BREASTS. 



birds rise one after another, and fly in line to a 

 common perch, generally some fairly high tree. The 

 Missel-Thrush may be distinguished infallibly from 

 its fellow Thrushes by its cry — a Iiarsh rattle, and to 

 this it gives utterance when sighting an intruder 

 and whilst making its escape. It is a strong and, 

 generally, high flier, ' breasting ' (the word seems 

 peculiarly appropriate to the flight of the Missel) 

 the air as it lays its wings back aftet a series of 

 rapid wing-beats ere bringing them into action again. 

 By its wild, resounding song, heard in the blustering 

 weather preceding spring, it has earned the title of 

 ' Stormcock.' 



FIELDFAKE— 10 inches. Winter visitor only. Lower 

 back ash-gray, appearing very light between the brown 

 of the upper back and wings and the blackish tail. 

 Always in packs, all facing the same way when on 

 the ground or perching. Cry, ' Uch-chu-chu-chut ! ' 



THROSTLE — 9 inches ; upper parts olive - brown ; white 

 central spot on breast. Cry, ' Tcheeic ! ' and a loud 

 cackling. 



REDWING — 8i inches ; a very broad white stripe over the 

 eye ; flanks pronounced orange-red. 



FIELDFARE.— Form, similar to Throstle (plate 33). 

 Length, 10 inches. Head and nape ash-gray ; upper 

 back and wings brown ; lower back ash-gray ; tail 

 blackish ; cheeks, throat, and breast ruddy -buff, with 

 black streaks ; remaining under parts, as well as the 

 under sides of wings, white. Winter migrant. 



Distribution.— General. 



The Fieldfares come to us in flocks as winter 

 migrants in October, and in flocks they remain .until 



