WINTER BIRDS. 223 



and upon its arrival we first note the " blue- 

 jack " in upland pastures, where, if the weather 

 is open, it finds a sufficiency of food in the form 

 of worms and slugs. The more elevated tracts 

 are agreeable to its habitual shyness ; but upon 

 the first coming of frost it descends to the 

 lower grounds, and feeds upon the wild fruit- 

 supply of the hedgerows. Large numbers of 

 birds frequently roost together in some favourite 

 spot — larch plantations, with thick undergrowth 

 of coarse herbage being often selected. A bad 

 habit to which the Fieldfare is driven during 

 times of severity is that of drilling holes in 

 the bulbs of turnips ; and this not, as in the 

 case of the wood-pigeon — when the root has 

 been injured by insects or the bite of hares or 

 rabbits. 



Unlike the Redwing and Fieldfare, the Missel- 

 thrush is resident ; and, as a bird well known 

 to dwellers in the country, has a host of 

 provincial names. The "storm-cock" braves 

 the severity of our hardest winters, and, like 

 the rest of the thrushes, is a confirmed fruit- 

 feeder. It feeds upon hips and haws ; the berries 

 of the ivy, holly, and yew ; and upon those of 

 the mistletoe, where this parasitic plant is found. 



