t 314 ] 



As they therefore build their nefts in more 

 Southern parts of Europe, there is certainly no na- 

 tural impoffibility of their doing fo with us, though, 

 I mufl own, I never yet heard but of one inftance, 

 which was a fieldfare's neft found near Padding- 

 ton *. 



I cannot, however, but think it is only from want 

 of obfervation, that more of fuch nefts have not been 

 difcovered, which are only looked after by very young 

 children -, and the chief object is the eggs, or neftlings, 

 not the bird which lays them -j-. 



The plumage therefore and flight of the fieldfare 

 -or redwing being neither of them very remarkable, 

 it is not at all improbable they may remain in fum- 

 mer, without being attended to j and particularly the 

 redwing, which fcarcely differs at all in appearance 

 from other thrufhes. Thus the cough is by no means 

 peculiar to Cornwall, as is commonly fuppofed, but 

 is miftaken for the jackdaw, or rook. 



But it may be faid, that thefe birds fly in flocks 

 during the winter, and if they remain here during 

 the fummer, we fhould fee them equally congregate. 



I have not before referred to Klein, who hath written a very 

 able treatife, in which he argues againft the poilibility of migra- 

 tion in birds ; becaufe, though I fhould be very happy to fupport 

 my poor opinion by his authority, yet I thought it right neither 

 to repeat his facts, or arguments. 



* See alfo Harl. Mifc. Vol. II. p. 561, 



f Many birds alfo build in places ot fuch difficult accefs, that 

 boys cannot climb to j birds nefting is confined almoft entirely 

 to hedges, and low ftirubs, 



Thi* 



