TURDUS. THRUSH. 79 



various kinds. They are in general shy and suspicious of man, 

 although the Song Thrush and Blackbird are not remarkable 

 for these qualities. Their mode of progression on the ground 

 is by leaping, and they have a peculiar manner of looking for 

 their food, but their flight varies according to the species. All 

 are noted for their vocal powers, but especially the Song Thrush 

 and Blackbird. Of the seven species three are resident, two 

 are winter visitants, one resides with us in summer only, 

 and one is a very rare and accidental visitant. Three are 

 gregarious, and three unsocial. The flesh of all is savoury 

 and delicate, and the gregarious species are frequently shot 

 to be eaten. It has been asserted by Montagu, that the 

 Fieldfare " roosts on the ground, and rarely perches for that 

 purpose ;" but this assertion has not been confirmed by the ob- 

 servation of others, although, if correct, the fact would aiFord 

 an additional manifestation of the affinity which this bird has 

 to the Lark. So far as I have seen, Fieldfares and Redwings 

 betake themselves to woods or tall trees in the evening ; nor 

 are they ever observed to crouch on the ground, like the 

 Lark, the Partridge, and other birds that rest there by night. 

 The Blackbird and Song Thrush however often rest on the 

 ground, but always under the shelter of bushes or stones, and 

 not in an open field. The mode in which the Thrushes procure 

 worms and larvae, although not peculiar, is very remarkable. 

 The bird stands perfectly still, in what may be called the atti- 

 tude of observation, the wings slightly drooping, the tail hori- 

 zontal, or a little raised, the head also a little elevated. The 

 moment it observes symptoms of life, it hops rapidly up to the 

 place. If the worm be above ground, it picks it up instantly ; 

 but if below the surface, it digs up the soil with its bill, using 

 the utmost expedition. When it has laid hold of the worm, 

 it either drags it up slowly, so as not to break it, or nips off" a 

 piece, which it swallows, and continues its attack until the 

 whole is procured. The Robin is the only British bird that I 

 have observed employing the same means of procuring its prey, 

 although it seldom, I believe, attacks the earth- worm, which to 

 most of our Thrushes is a principal article of food. 



Some authors have generically separated the plain-coloured 



