Birds. 2481 



breaking snail-shells against a stone has been noticed : their adroit- 

 ness in this accomplishment I have often observed, and I have seen a 

 favourite stone in a wood against which many thousands must have 

 been broken ; indeed the refuse shells lay round the stone some inches 

 thick, and scattered in greater or less quantities for several feet. I 

 have seen a tame thrush which would eat house flies with avidity, and 

 the earnestness which he exhibited when a person was feeding him 

 with them was truly amusing. These birds sometimes commence 

 their songs at nightfall, and I have heard their music when I could 

 scarcely distinguish either bush or tree. My journal contains records 

 of my having heard this bird during all the winter months except De- 

 cember. 



Redwing (Turdus iliacus). Heard one in May, 1843, give forth a 

 wild melodious warbling, in tone not unlike the mellifluous music of 

 the blackbird. Redwings are most plentiful down the Trent meadows, 

 owing to the greater luxuriance of the hedges, which afford them fruit, 

 and the greater amount of grass-land, which supply them with slugs, 

 snails, &c. When the water has overflowed our low grounds these 

 birds are constantly feeding in them, and after such periods are plump 

 on the breast and in excellent condition. During mild weather they 

 roost on the ground, and in willow-beds and sheltered situations when 

 the weather is severe ; and I think that a small party nestles down to- 

 gether, keeping their tails in the centre, like partridges : I infer this 

 from the position of the droppings which are left in the morning. 

 During the mild winter of 1846 exceedingly few redwings appeared. 

 October 25, 1847: — Redwings have been passing southwards for se- 

 veral days : four or five flocks pass in a day, consisting of from one 

 to two hundred birds ; and each flock takes exactly the same line, 

 which is over a particularly high tree that is often used by them as a 

 resting station : almost every flock, as it approaches a certain part of 

 the air, appears to meet with some impediment (probably an adverse 

 current of wind), for it is invariably driven backwards, but as invari- 

 ably doubles again and makes a vigorous effort to regain the original 

 line of travel, which is due south. I mention this circumstance to 

 show that the birds must have a very clear knowledge of the precise 

 geographical position of the locality to which they are journeying. 



Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris). If severe weather sets in early, field- 

 fares are earlier in their arrival ; and if the weather continues open 

 and mild towards spring, and wild fruit is plentiful, it will continue 

 here until the last week in April or beginning of May. Few birds, 

 however, are more regular in their time of arrival than these : they 



