THE SONG THRUSH 107 



not to be very accurately determined, but are said 

 to extend as far as Nubia, perhaps in exceptional 

 cases only. 



In the British Islands the Song Thrush is but a 

 partial migrant; that is to say, in some of the least 

 cultivated districts especially, the birds leave during 

 most of the winter. In many continental areas, 

 however, this Thrush is a regular migrant; and in 

 Heligoland vast numbers of birds, particularly in 

 autumn, cross the island, where they are caught for 

 food in large quantities. The migrations of this 

 species in our island are not very clearly defined, 

 and still require much investigation. The Song 

 Thrush is almost as ubiquitous as the Robin and 

 the Hedge Accentor. It is not quite so familiar, 

 but it may be seen in almost every kind of locality 

 at all suited to its requirement, even in parks and 

 pleasure-grounds in the centre of busy cities. It is 

 certainly most partial to the well- cultivated districts, 

 orchards, shrubberies, gardens, hedges, the smaller 

 woods, coverts, fields, and plantations. Nowhere 

 perhaps is it more abundant than in shrubberies ad- 

 joining country houses. It is a ground bird for the 

 most part, finding cover amongst the lower vegeta- 

 tion, and chiefly visiting the higher branches for the 

 purposes of song. We cannot exactly describe the 

 Song Thrush as a perfect recluse, still it evinces 

 little partiality for company, and its social tendencies 

 are most marked during the migration season. It 



