78 BROWN BIRDS WITH SPOTTED BREASTS. 



Scandinavia, arriving in flocks in October, and re- 

 maining so until their departure for the north in 

 April. As they are similar in size and general ap- 

 pearance to our own Throstle, it is necessary to bear 

 in mind that the Throstle never packs ; that, while 

 the flanks of the Throstle have a faint cast of olive- 

 brown, those of the Redwing are deep ruddy-orange ; 

 that the underwing of the Throstle is buflBsh, whilst 

 that of the Redwing is rich chestnut ; and that the 

 Throstle has nothing similar to the broad white 

 eye-stripe of the Redwing. Except, however, that 

 Redwings are always in flocks and seldom come 

 near habitations, they have all the manners of the 

 Throstle. They feed in the open fields in the same way, 

 with the same startled movements and the same still, 

 attentive posings. When disturbed they take refuge 

 usually in a high tree, from which one after another 

 slips in further flight, each uttering as it goes a 

 subdued, whispering note. The song of the Redwing 

 has been heard, and the bird has been stated to nest, 

 in this country ; but the occurren.ce is so rare as to 

 be phenomenal. Breeding and singing go together, 

 and the bird breeds in Scandinavia. 



MISSEL-THRUSH— 11 inches ; flanks ruddy-buff; no pro- 

 minent white eyebrow. Call, a harsh rattle. 



FIELDFARE— 10 inches ; head, nape, and lower back ash- 

 gray ; tail blackish ; flanks without deep orange-colour, 

 and stripe over the eye much less prominent than in 

 the Redwing. Cry, ' Vch-chu-chu-chut I ' 



MEADOW-PIPIT.— Plate 34. Length, 5f inches. 

 Upper parts olive-brown, mottled with black central 

 streaks to the feathers, the wing-feathers having 



