SONG-THRUSH 5 



SONG-THEUSH. 



Turdus nuisiciis, Linnaeus. /S'.iV., i., p. 29-2 (1766). 

 Throstle, Mavis, Grey-Bird. 



This bird is abundant throughout the county ; 5'ou 

 cannot walk along a lane, across a field, through a park, 

 or enter a large garden without noticing a Thrush at all 

 times in the 3^ear. The young birds, of course, are more 

 conspicuous in all directions after they leave the nest 

 and when they are ]ust able to fly about, and again in 

 autumn when they resort to the homestead for food and 

 shelter. 



This Thrush becomes extremely tame and sociable, and 

 wild bred birds, reared close to the house, have been 

 known to the inhabitants to approach within a few feet 

 of them without flight or fear. 



In the spring, when the birds pair and have selected 

 a position for the nest, the male bird finds a perch on 

 the top of the nearest tall tree, and there you may find 

 him regularly, morning and evening, and no doubt 

 during the intervals he is busy with the female con- 

 structing the nest, which is sure to be not far off. These 

 nests, unfortunately, are so conspicuous in early spring 

 that it is a wonder how so many escape the bird's-nester. 

 So trustful are the birds that they build their nests in 

 low stunted bushes or hedgerows along the roadsides, 

 where you can actually look in on the eggs, generally 

 3 to 4 feet above the ground. 



The birds themselves will scarcely move, even when 

 the nest is closely approached. The eggs, being blue, also 

 attract immediate attention. 



The nest of this species is nearly always lined with 



