THE FIELDFARE. 
G1 
flocks, sometimes numbering upwards of a hundred birds, 
remaining in one neighbourhood for many days. From the 
fact of their choosing the vicinity of gardens and enclosures, 
it is not improbable that the attempts which have of late 
years been made to cultivate trees and shrubs are offering 
an increasing temptation to the wanderers to tarry on their 
way. They keep to the open fields during the daytime, and 
seldom allow a sufflciently near approach for a shot. On 
being disturbed, if not greatly alarmed, they make almost 
instantly for the trees— “ trees” by courtesy, that is to say— 
waiting patiently for an opportunity of returning unmolested 
to the fields. Sometimes, however, during snow, they are only 
too glad to avail themselves continuously of the shelter of the 
trees and shrubs, scraping away with their bills large dark 
patches upon the white surface, in order to search for food 
among the decaying twigs and leaves. I never could detect 
them roosting on the ground, although arboreal accommodation 
even for a limited number was somewhat of the scantiest. 
Their habit at roosting time was to sit among the highest 
branches until a little after dusk, and then descend to the 
lower ones, where they remained all night under shelter of the 
six-foot wall. I think they invariably migrate by night. On 
the eve of their departure they are restless, not assembling 
formally to roost, but keeping about the fields after dark, 
although occasionally alighting in the garden. About eleven 
o’clock one dark but quiet night in the month of March, a 
large flock of Fieldfares, easily recognised by their notes, flew 
high over my head in the island of Yell. They were travelling 
northwards, but as none were to be seen next day in Unst, the 
favourite resort, it is probable they were steadily on their way 
home. The night was rather damp, with a slight breeze from 
S.S.W. It seems to be well known that birds when migrating 
usually fly lower in misty weather. During hard frosts 
Fieldfares resort to the shore to feed, at high and low water 
indifferently. 
