The Fieldfare. 
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us ; but it is said to be very pleasing. It is delicate 
eating ; and the liomans held it in such estimation, that 
they kept thousands of them together in aviaries, and 
fed them on a sort of paste made of bruised figs and 
flour, to improve the delicacy and flavour of their flesh. 
Under this management these birds fattened, to the 
great profit of their proprietors, who sold them to 
.Roman epicures for three denarii, or about two shillings 
sterling each, which at that early period was a large 
price. 
THE FIELDFAKE, (Tardus pilaris,) 
Is a well-known bird in this country. Fieldfares fly in 
flocks, together with the redwing and starling, and 
change their haunts according to the season of the year. 
They abide with us in winter, and disappear in spring, 
so punctually, that after that time not one is to be seen. 
The flesh is esteemed a great delicacy, and is highly 
prized in Germany, where it is known as the Kramms- 
vogel, and is sold in the markets of Westphalia by the 
dozen. Their favourite food is the juniper-berry, 
whence its German name. The head is ash-coloured, 
and spotted with black : the back and coverts of the 
wings of deep chesnut colour ; the rump cinereous ; and 
the tail black, except the lower part of the two middle 
feathers, which are ash-coloured, and the upper sides of 
the exterior feathers, which are white. They collect in 
large flocks ; and it is supposed they keep watch, like 
