TURDUS ILIACUS, Linn. 
Redwing*. 
Turdus iliacus, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 292. 
The northern parts of the Old World, it must be admitted, are preeminently rich in the great group of 
singing-birds of which the Redwing forms a part ; for, besides those species which inhabit onr own islands and 
Europe generally, there are others which pass their summer in eastern Siberia, and do not form part of our 
fauna : in most instances they are gregarious ; nearly all are migratory ; and the sexes differ but little in their 
colouring, our well-known Blackbird forming almost the only exception to the rule. The Redwing is one 
of the least of the group, yet he wings his way to this country from Norway and Lapland, and even from 
Iceland, with the greatest ease ; and in October and November immense flights may be looked for with 
certainty, which on their arrival disperse over all parts of our island, from the most northern to the most 
southern counties. If the weather be open, the great fields of arable lands are resorted to, as affording the 
most abundant supply of insects, worms, and seeds. If frost should set in, and snow cover the ground, 
the hedgerow, with its abundance of haws, supplies them with food, and the orange-coloured berries of the 
mountain-ash also contribute to its support. There are times, however, when the seasons are too severe for 
them to exist, and instances are on record of thousands having perished from cold and want of food. Such 
calamities tend to keep bird-life in check ; and it is doubtless for some wise purpose that they occur. 
From the above remarks it will be understood that the Redwing is not an indigenous bird with us, but is 
merely a domiciled visitor during the winter season. When the Swallow and a host of other spring visitors 
arrive, the Redwing takes its departure for regions further north — in fact, for its natural home among the 
trackless forests bordering the Arctic circle : there it pours forth its chant, and serenades its mate while 
engaged in the task of reproduction, just as our spirited Thrush does in this country ; and pretty indeed 
is the song it utters. This song, like that of all other birds, is an exuberant expression of joy connected 
with the period of reproduction ; but as the Redwing does not breed in this country, we have but little 
opportunity of becoming acquainted with it. If my readers will journey to Norway, Sweden, and Russia, 
they may there hear it in perfection. But it is not necessary to leave our island for this purpose ; for, 
wherever the bird is located, every calm and sunny spring morning will be ushered in with its low musical 
notes ; these, it is true, are not equal to those it pours forth in its native country, still that they are vei-y 
pleasing I may confidently affirm, having been in the habit of constantly listening to them at that season, 
from the days of my youth to the present time. I heard them in January 1864 from the tops of the 
high trees around the house in the beautiful grounds of Tregothnan, and more recently in several otlier 
places, particularly at Formosa in Berkshire. In confirmation of the singing-powers of the Redwing, I may 
quote the following passages from the pen of Mr. A. Matthews, of Gumley, Market Harborougb, published 
in the ‘Zoologist’ for 1864, p. 8947: — “About the middle of March, when the weather has been fine and 
warm, I have, on many occasions, heard the Redwing sing, and under circumstances which rendered a 
mistake as to the identity of the songster impossible. During the spring it was a common custom with 
my brothers and myself to go in the evening to the neighbouring wmods for the purpose of shooting Hawks 
when they came to roost. The thousands of Redwings and Fieldfares which congregated in these woods 
preparatory to their quitting the country without doubt formed the great attraction to the birds of j)rey ; 
and often, very often, when lying in ambush for their enemies, have I been charmed with the concert of this 
melodious host. I think I shall be within the pale of strict veracity if I say that I have heard hundreds in 
full song at the same moment. But perhaps some of your readers may require more positive evidence 
that this enchanting concert was the actual pi’od action of Redwings and Fieldfares ; and on this point I 
will endeavour to satisfy them. When on the look-out for Hawks, we always placed ourselves against the 
body of some large tree, surrounded by tall underwood, chiefly hazel and ash, and in these bushes I have 
seen, at the same moment, many Redwings and Fieldfares, with open bills and distended throats, in the full 
torrent of song, some occasionally within two or three yards of my head, as I stood motionless at my post. 
In such close vicinity, their plumage was as plainly seen as if I had held them in my hand ; there was the 
clear bright stripe over the eye, and the unmistakeable rufous colour on the sides of the breast ; and though 
I blush to own it, to make assurance doubly sure, I have shot them in the act of singing. Surely this must 
be sufficient to convince the most sceptical. Except the Nightingale, I do not know a more beautiful 
songster than the Redwing ; its notes much resemble those of the Song-Thrush, but are fuller, sweeter, and 
more melodious, many of them in tone approaching those of the Blackbird.” What says Mr. Wheelwright 
on the subject ? “ By the middle of the month of April most of the spring migrants had arrived, and the 
