REDWING.
From tin- entries in my notes concerning the numbers el' Redwings captured on the light-ships olT the east
roast, it is evident thai, with the except ton of some eight or ten weeks in the early part of Ihe year, an almost
constant stream must he passing over the North Sen from October lill the end of April. Since no wings wen1
obtained in September during the years 1 was in communication with the vessels, it is proliable that the first
arrivals make their way direct towards the coast of Scotland. Redwings and Starlings almost invariably cross
the North Sea at or about the same time, both species following a similar course. Though the Starlings captured
on tin- light-ships are by far the most numerous, I remarked that it seldom happened that any quantity fell
on board without one or two Redwings being taken. On the 13th of January, 1*73, I received from the
' Lynn Wall' floating light two Starlings and one Redwing; these throe unfortunates, with the exception of a
Gull which had settled on deck, wen all that had bean secured since the beginning of November. Though
large numbers of -mall birds came in contact with the lights, the wind had continued blowing strong while the
flights were passing, and those striking had fallen clear of the vessel.
THRUSH.
TURDUS MUS/CUS.
THIS well-known songster is widely dispersed over the British Islands; the nature of the country, however,
being less suited to its habits in the north, it is not so abundant in many of the wild districts rIF the Highlands.
On the Hut moors of Sutherland and Caithness, Thrushes are for the most part conspicuous by their absence,
though by no means scarce in certain parts of the Llebridcs.
Early in May 1877 I noticed several frequenting the walls and banks near the roadside on the track
leading from Storuoway to Harris. The birds appeared more numerous in the vicinity of the scattered collections
of shcaliugs, placed for the most part near the shores of the salt-water lochs; in the wilder and more
deserted portions of the country but few were met with. It is stated by ornithological writers that the Thrushes
of the Hebrides are a smaller as well as a darker race; and though no specimens were obtained I at once
remarked this distinction. Till examined through the glasses, I was almost nt a loss to identify a pair or two
keeping company with a few small parties of Starlings, but little dilferenee being visible between the two
species in the dull light of a West-Highland drizzle.
As autumn advances a large accession to our native Thrushes may be noticed on tho north-east coast of
the Highlands. While Partridge-shooting on the Hill of Tartogie, near Tain, on the 15th and L0thof September
18G8, I found the turnip-fields perfectly swarming with various species of small feathered migrants, which
must have recently landed on the coast ; Blackbirds 3nd Thrushes were strongly represented in their ranks,
the whole body being evidently intent on working their way towards the south. Though a Tew continued m
the district for a week or two, the majority shortly disappeared and hut the usual residents remained. As I
did not meet with any considerable quantity of wings of this species among the contributions received from
the light-ships off the east coast during the seasons of 1*7^ and 1*73, I am of opinion that the course l'idl<IW<>il by
this species when on the southward journey is most frequently towards the north-east coast of Bool land.
The visitors that arrive on the shores of Ross-shire and the more northern counties early in the autumn
probably distribute themselves over the country for a few months previous to undertaking a further journey.
I have seldom noticed any considerable addition to the Thrushes in the southern or eastern counties of England
till frost nnd snow have set in. The more severe the weather the greater the number that pass along in
company with countless Larks, Redwings, and other small birds. On the Norfolk coast a few st mggling parties
were making their way south during the storm that occurred late in November 1879; and the following week I
observed iheni working west along the shores of the channel in Sussex. From the-e dates till early in February
1 have watched them pursuing the same course on many occasions. The heavy fall of snow that broke over
the country in January 1S(N brought to the south coast myriads of all the species commonly seen under similar
circumstances: for a week at least, with but slight intervals when tho weather moderated, the fugitives continued
followinga course from east, to west. Thrushes, I have repeatedly remarked, are tiie first of the feathered
tribe to exhibit signs of succumbing to the hardships encountered during their passage ; they may frequently