Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... THE BIRDS OF ICELAND. Turdus iliacus, Linn. Eedwing. Native name: 'Skogarbrostur' (Wood-thrush). A Summer visitant in considerable numbers, appearing as early as March, but usually somewhat later, and remaining in the country till the beginning of October. Odd individuals are to be seen as late as November. It frequents birch woods, or birch scrub fante de mievx. Most of the Iceland birch woods are now reduced to the condition of scrub, partly by wasteful felling, partly by carelessly allowing sheep to injure the young trees. In the autumn (August) Redwings visit the gardens around farm-houses far from any birch woods. I saw nests with five and four fresh eggs, and also young birds already out of the nest, on June 27, 1885, in the north; also, on August 17, 1894, young birds barely fledged. Even when nothing happens to the first laying (i.e. in the shape of a raven) I fancy that a second brood is sometimes produced. The nest is usually placed on the ground at the foot of a birch tree or bush--sometimes, where two or three stems rise from a 'stool, ' in the middle of them a few inches above the ground--sometimes A iu a birch fork quite a yard from the ground. The nest is made of fine twigs, usually of the birch, mixed with grass and moss, then lined with mud or earth, then again with fine grass, like the Blackbird's, of which the eggs also are a small copy, but usually a trifle greener in ground-colour. Sometimes three eggs only form a sitting, but four or five is the usual number. As this bird is so well known, and is, moreover, the only thrush likely to be met with in Iceland, I have not thought it worth while to give a description of the plumage; but I may mention that the English name refers to the bright chestnut patch on either side..