PABT IV. 

 THE BIRDS OF AMERICA. 



THE THRUSHES. 



We commence with these as before : — 



Family — Turdidce. 

 Genus — 



1. Turdus. T. falklatidicits. Falkland Island Thrush. 



2. Sialia. S. ivilsonii. Common Blue Bird. 



The Falkland Island Thrush. — Except that it is a 

 native of these far-off, and to a great extent ice-bound, 

 islands, there is nothing peculiarly characteristic about this 

 bird, which is a thrush to all intents and purposes. 



The Common Blue Bird. — It seems absurd to class this 

 decided robin with the thrushes. In every respect, except 

 a trifling difference in size and the azure blue of its back 

 and wings, it is very like its familiar English congener, 

 even to its habit of frequenting the neighbourhood of the 

 abode of man. 



The breast is dull reddish brown, and the rest of the 

 plumage blue. 



The female is like the male, but her colours are not so 

 bright, and she is a trifle smaller. 



The^lue bird is a disappointing inmate of the aviary, in 



which it will live for years, if treated in accordance with 



273 s 



