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instances of supposed nests or of the bird having been observed in summer may be found in the 

 ' Zoologist,' the ' Field,' and other periodicals ; but there is little doubt that in nearly all cases 

 the Missel-Thrush has been mistaken for the Fieldfare." Mr. Blyth, however, has recently 

 assured us that he is quite positive on the subject of his nest. The following account is 

 given by Mr. Robert Gray in his ' Birds of the West of Scotland ' : — " There can be no doubt 

 that the large migratory flocks of Fieldfares which visit Scotland come from the east and 

 north-east. On this account they are first seen in Aberdeenshire and East Lothian. I have 

 often witnessed their arrival in the latter county, having spent many seasons in watching the 

 appearance of our migratory birds. On reaching the coast near Dunbar, for the most part about 

 daybreak, they settle on the Links and arrange their plumage after long flight, remaining a few 

 days in the vicinity of the rocks, which they frequent regularly at low tide. Continued frost, espe- 

 cially if accompanied by snow, will afterwards, however, bring them down from the higher ground, 

 whither they had betaken themselves ; and I have observed many hundreds resorting on these 

 occasions to the beach at high-water mark, where they appear to pick up small marine animals 

 by digging little holes in the rejectamenta thrown up by the tide. Along this mound, which 

 was covered with a sprinkling of snow, the marks of the Fieldfares had a very curious appearance. 

 Instances of the Fieldfare breeding in Scotland have been vaguely hinted at by Yarrell in his 

 account of the species ; but these appear to want corroboration. Numerous flocks may be seen 

 some seasons as late as May ; but these are doubtless birds that have been much further south, 

 and are now on their return journey. On such occasions, if carefully watched, it will be found 

 that, as a large flight passes overhead, the birds on seeing a suitable field will wheel round, and, 

 after a short survey, alight, some on the neighbouring fir-trees, where they at once commence 

 preening their feathers, others on the green sward, across which they hop actively in search of a 

 meal. I have observed hundreds together near Moffat on the 29th of April; and small numbers 

 were seen last year by Dr. Dewar on Loch-Awe side, at the foot of Ben Cruachan, in the first 

 week of May. The Fieldfare is well known on the Outer Hebrides, but does not arrive there 

 until midwinter ; it is chiefly observed in the pasture-grounds lying on the west side of North 

 Uist and Benbecula. It is likewise a regular visitor to the Orkneys, a few remaining on these 

 islands all the year ; but it has not been known to breed there." In the different counties of 

 England it is found more or less frequent in the winter months, but certainly favours certain 

 localities more than others: for instance, Mr. Gurney in the before-mentioned letter adds: — 

 " There are neither Fieldfares nor Redwings here now." No doubt the birds are affected more or less 

 by the cold weather ; and Mr. Rodd mentions that in Cornwall " there is always a great accession 

 of numbers throughout this and the western counties, from their retreating as far southward and 

 westward as possible for a less rigorous climate." Thompson says : — " It is a regular winter visitant 

 to Ireland, appearing generally in the north towards the end of October or beginning of November. 

 In 1840 they did not arrive at the Falls, near Belfast, until the 9th of November, on the morning 

 of which day a flock was seen there by Mr. W. Sinclaire, at a great height in the air, coming 

 from a north-easterly direction ; this gentleman is of opinion that in the course of the preceding 

 moonlight night they may have come in one flight direct from Norway. This bird remains until 

 a late period in spring. In seven different years flocks were observed about Belfast, from the 

 middle to the end of April, and continued until the latter period in two years (1834 and 1842), 



