106 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
other hand, is to be heard on the move during autumn nights, but 
strangely infrequently in comparison with Turdus cliacus. I have 
failed to notice it during the months of July or August, the earliest 
record I can find in my notes being Sept. 24th, on which night 
(11 to 12 o'clock) several birds were heard. No nocturnal passage 
or movement of Redwings was noted during the same autumn until 
Oct. 12th. Tieldfares I have only heard by night on one or two 
occasions, but in some years diurnal migrations of this species on a 
large scale are to be observed in this locality, and Redwings at times 
accompany them. On Oct. 22nd, 1906, and again on Oct. 28th, 
1910, Fieldfares were seen passing between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in 
flocks of fifteen to three hundred birds, each flock pursuing a similar 
line of flight, a point or two west of south. On both occasions a few 
Redwings accompanied their larger congeners, but only in the earlier 
moving flocks. The customary long-drawn ‘‘ tzee’”’ was emitted at 
intervals, in the same manner as by night. 
Tf I understand Mr. Stubbs’s remarks on the song of the Redwing, 
it seems clear that he is speaking of the subdued “ rehearsing ” or 
‘“‘murmuration ” already referred to by Mr. F. D. Power (Zool. 1911, 
p. 431), and not to the genuine fully developed song. The latter I 
have never heard in its perfection in this district, although in spring 
a bird may be occasionally found attempting it ; whereas the aforesaid 
“murmuration” is a common feature of mild days during winter and 
early spring. It might, as suggested, be possibly mistaken by an 
unpractised ear for a Starling chorus; the true song, I think, could 
not be confused with it.—S. E. Brock (Kirkliston, Linlithgowshire). 
Bad-tempered Blackbird (Turdus merula).— For three winters 
some poultry have been fed in a field adjoining this station, and, as 
usual, numerous small birds resort there for pickings. Amongst 
them is a hen Blackbird that behaves in a most extraordinary way. 
During these three winters she has always been there daily from the 
time the hens are fed until dusk (or now, in February, about 3 p.m.), 
attacking all other birds, and driving them away from the meal, &e., 
which is left. By way of explanation, I ought to say that these hens 
are only fed in the morning, as they are over a mile away from their 
owner’s house, and so food is left lying about for their needs later in 
the day. As soon as the hens have satisfied themselves, and the 
small birds start to feed, this particular Blackbird attacks the Star- 
lings, Thrushes, Sparrows, Robins, &c., driving them all a few yards 
away; but her greatest energies are kept for attacking her own 
species, especially the cocks, which she will not leave alone until 
