230 



British Ca^e Birds. 



Methods of Captuee. — The same as recommended for the 

 Eedwing and Skylark. See also a special reference to this 

 subject in Chapter II., on Bird Catching." 



Food and Treatment. — In a wild state, the Fieldfare 

 lives on worms, insects and their larvae, seeds, and various 

 kinds of berries, such as those of the juniper, holly, and 

 hawthorn. In a state of domestication, these birds should be 

 fed and treated in the same manner as recommended for the 

 Missel Thrush. 



Bearing the Young. — The remarks already made on rear- 

 ing young Blackbirds and Thrushes are equally applicable in 

 the case of Fieldfares. They are all members of the Thrush 

 tribe. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The head and 

 rump of the hen are paler in colour than those of the male 

 bird. The beak is darker, and the back and wings of a dusky 

 brown colour. The throat of the hen is greyish white. 



Song. — The Fieldfare's song is very meagre, and scarcely 

 deserving of the name. When a flock alights, after satisfying 

 their internal cravings, they frequently commence to make a 

 peculiar twittering noise, which can only by a stretch of 

 the imagination be regarded as a song. It is somewhat shrill 

 and unmusical, and grates painfully on a sensitive and refined 

 ear. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — The Fieldfare, 

 although a stout, well-formed, noble-looking bird, is not 

 adapted for the show bench, on account of its wild and in- 

 tractable disposition. If, however, any one should succeed 

 in thoroughly taming a fine specimen, there is no reason 

 why it should not be exhibited in a class set apart for British 

 birds. Similar points would be required in a Fieldfare as 

 are necessary in a Song Thrush or Missel Thrush. 



General Remarks. — Fieldfares are not held in high estima- 

 tion by the bird-loving portion of the community, as they are 

 neither song birds, in the common acceptation of the term, nor 

 are they attractive as aviary birds, being so difficult to recon- 

 cile to a state of domestication. Fanciers who venture to 

 put newly-caught birds of this species in their aviaries, are 

 generally glad to release them before many days have passed 

 by, for the birds dash about in a most frantic and terrified 

 manner, and, as often as not, refuse to partake of the 



