FIELDFARE. 
11 
INSESSORES. 
DENTIROSTRES. MERULIDJE. 
PLATE XLVIII. 
FIELDFARE. 
Merula pilaris. 
The Fieldfare, the next of this beautiful tribe that 
offers itself to our notice, is a native of the sombre forests 
of the north of Europe. In these wild regions it passes the 
short summer season ; but it is unable to sustain any great 
degree of cold, and is consequently found to commence its 
migration southward in September or October. 
Fieldfares perform their journeys in large companies, and 
great numbers of these birds spread themselves over all 
the countries of the middle parts of Europe, shifting their 
quarters from time to time as the various changes of the 
season, the supply of food, or other exigencies may require. 
In mild and open weather they are seen to frequent low 
meadow-grounds, for the sake of the worms and other insects 
that are to be found there ; but when from severe frost these 
resources fail them, they resort to hedges and copses of white¬ 
thorn, juniper, and other berries, on which they become very 
fat, and are then delicious eating. 
In Britain they make their appearance about November; 
and we have constantly observed their arrival to be the fore¬ 
runner of increased cold in the atmosphere, the Fieldfares 
preceding the change of the temperature by about two days. 
They appear unable to bear the cold so well as the native 
