127 
199 
Тр “The food of the Red-wing, during its winter sojourn in the British Islands, is composed of 
іні worms, snails, beetles, various insects, and berries. Тһе birds feed on the open pastures, and 
ni never resort to bushy places, or the ground under hedgerows and near walls, as the Song-Thrush 
does; nor is it seen in gardens, unless on the evergreen trees and shrubs, or when hard pressed for 
food. Тһе partiality of the Red-wing for worms and insect food is no doubt the primary cause of its 
permanent residence in one certain neighbourhood throughout the period of its stay ; and the bird 
is not nearly so much a berry-feeder as is supposed. True, upon their arrival we find them regaling 
themselves on the fruit of the service-tree ; but this only occurs for a few weeks, and then for the 
most part they are only seen on the grass-lands. As a proof of this fact, the actions of the Red-wing 
in the severe winter of 1879-80 may be adduced. he lands which they most love to frequent are the 
Ше marshy meadows in which worms and insects occur so plentifully. Ав these marshy places began to 
р freeze, the Red-wings were more and more confined in their feeding-range. Each little swampy place 
was searched for food, and as surely abandoned when the frost closed it. Manure-heaps were then 
- visited by the distressed birds, until a heavy fall of snow buried these places deep beneath it. All 
۴ this time the Red-wings were becoming poorer in condition, more feeble, and still more tame and 
confiding. But the frost still continued, and they repaired to the banks of running streams and ' 
(зі brooklets; numbers perished ; numbers were caught by hand ; and eventually they disappeared from 
ün я many districts altogether, having most probably joined Ше vast flocks of their congeners that were 
E incessantly passing over the snow-covered landscape in a direct line southwards. Nevertheless the 
ше bushes and hedgerows abounded with berries, the Fieldfares seemed scarcely to suffer from the frost, 
па? and were always to be seen feeding upon them. It can be only as a last resource, therefore, that the 
Red-wing becomes a berry-feeder, except in the autumn when the luscious fruit of the service-tree is 
ripe. Its winter food is worms and insects; and where these are to be found the birds will only 
i repair to the bushes and trees when alarmed or in order to roost. The Red-wing also feeds on 
"LL various species of snails. It is a pleasing sight to watch a flock of these birds searching the grass- 
awl! lands for food. How nimbly they hop amongst the frosted grass, ever in motion, thorough Song- 
nu Thrushes in attitude and action, occasionally taking short flights or starting up to look warily round. 
gii They are scattered over the entire field, and each is busy searching for its food. If alarmed they 
i fly off in small parties and take refuge in the topmost branches of the nearest trees, and, when 
T the danger is passed, leave their elevated perching-places in the same manner. First one will 
к fly boldly down ; others follow, and so on, until the whole flock is again feeding as before. One 
я. or two birds sometimes remain behind in the trees near to which the main flock is feeding. 
"m. These do duty as sentinels, and utter alarm-notes on the approach of danger, at which the birds 
"T take wing. Even if fired at, the Red-wing will soon return to its favourite feeding-ground. 
я" “The rich wild notes of the Red-wing are always pleasant to Ше ear as they are borne hither 
A and thither by the breeze. True, the song may not be so varied as that of the Song-Thrush, nor so 
у 4 rich and powerful as that of the Blackbird, nor yet so wild and free as the * Storm-cock's' lay ; but 
p^ 3 it has a rich sweetness about it which justly calls forth the praises of all who have had the pleasure 
P of listening to its strain. Its low warbling song is usually preceded by whistling call-notes, or a few 
B^ guttural cries, as the bird sits on the topmost spray of a pine-tree. 
ТЕ 4 “ The breeding-season of the Red-wing commences early in June, fresh eggs being found by the 
p^ first week in that montb, although in high latitudes nests are often found containing newly-laid eggs 
ger in the middle of July. "Though the Red-wing does not usually nest іш colonies like the Fieldfare, 
"2 still it seems to prefer the society of its larger and more powerful relation ; for whenever a colony of 
p Fieldfares establish themselves, there, almost as surely, a pair of Red-wings will build their nest 
close to them. In districts where trees abound, the Red-wing seems to show preference for the small 
