60 Pictures of Bird Life 



return to lier two ci^fO's. a Tlirush. which had a nest in a 

 neighbouring bush, saw tlie Xiglitjar Hitting about, and so 

 hustled and drove it about that it took refuge ahiiost 

 between my feet, and remained there quite a considerable 

 time. 



The nest is carefully and curiously made, beino- finished 

 off with a liniuD* of nuid and cow-dimi>', moulded })v the 

 bird's breast into a deep. cu})-like form, and tlien rubbed 

 over witli powdered rotten wood. AN'liy the birds should 

 take the pains to make such a watertight nest cannot be 

 explained. One woidd suppose that a looser construction, 

 wliich Mould allow the rain to drain throuoli, would be mucli 

 more practically useful. Two or tlu-ec djiys are allowed for 

 this lining to set and harden ))cfore tlie eoos are laid. 



The Thrush is essentially a bird which follows cultiva- 

 tion : fields and gardens are more to its liking than moors 

 and wild, barren situations, where the lling-ouzer takes its 

 place. Its favoiu'ite locality is a large garden, with a good 

 expanse of well-kept lawn, and plenty of shelter in the form 

 of laurel and evergreen bushes and shrubberies. Hours 

 before the gardener is up and about the Thrushes are 

 hopping over the lawns, and scratching the fallen leaves 

 and damp places for worms, slugs, and snails : the shell of 

 these last are cracked by beino- banoed violently aoainst a 

 stone. For these nsefid services, carried on most indus- 

 triously all the year round, and for the chorus of bird nmsic 

 daily for a great part of the year, it is surely entitled not 

 only to protection and safety, but to a share of the fruit in 



