and water-meadows. More slender in form, he is further 
to be distinguished by the dark streaks down his back, white- 
eye stripe, and greater amount of white at the base of the 
tail. Further, there is no white neck patch. 
Most people know the common thrush and the blackbird 
when they see them, and many country-folk, indeed, recognize 
no more. Yet there are five species in all, which may be 
called ‘‘common.” They are to be distinguished, not so 
much by their flight, as by their general coloration. Neither 
the common thrush, nor the blackbird need be described 
here: they cannot easily be confounded with any other bird. 
But for the moment it might be possible, it is true, to mistake 
the missel-thrush for the more common song-thrush. It is, 
however, an unmistakably larger bird, and when on the wing 
appears greyer, and if seen at close quarters, shows white 
tips to the outermost tail-feathers, and a white underwing. 
On the ground, of course, there can be no mistaking it, on 
account of its much more spotted breast; the spots, too, 
being much larger, and fan-shaped. During the autumn 
and winter there are two other thrushes which should be 
looked for. These are the fieldfare and the redwing. The 
first-named, it is to be noted, will be found in small flocks, 
and if examined on the ground through field-glasses will be 
seen to have a slate-grey neck and rump, and chestnut-brown 
wings and tail ; while the breast is streaked instead of spotted. 
214 
