120 TURDUS VISCIVORUS. 



seldom that the individuals of a flock fly low or close together. 

 While proceeding, they now and then utter a low scream, and 

 when they find an eligible place, they either alight abruptly at 

 a distance from each other, or fly over the field for some time. 



The song of this bird resembles that of the Blackbird, but 

 its notes are less mellow and modulated, although equally loud. 

 It commences very early in spring, or even in winter, when 

 the weather is fine, and is continued until the middle of sum- 

 mer ; but, as the species is comparatively scarce in most parts, 

 it is seldom heard, and when it is, is usually mistaken for 

 that of the Blackbird or Song Thrush. Several individuals 

 have heard it sing when flying from one place to another, but 

 on such occasions I have only heard it utter its harsh scream. 



The flocks break up in March, and about the end of that 

 month, or towards the middle of April, the different pairs 

 commence their building operations, selecting a natural wood, 

 a plantation, or frequently an orchard, for their summer resi- 

 dence, whence they make excursions into the neighbouring 

 fields and gardens. The nest, which is placed in the fork of 

 a tree, or on a branch, generally at an inconsiderable height, 

 is very bulky, and more rudely constructed than that of the 

 other species which build with us. It is composed externally 

 of twigs, straws, and grasses of various kinds, intermixed with 

 leaves and mosses ; within this is a rudely formed cup of mud, 

 generally in pellets, mixed with grass or fibrous roots. The 

 interior is a more carefully arranged layer of finer grasses, roots, 

 and moss, or frequently of grass alone. Sometimes the exterior 

 is partially covered with grey lichens and mosses ; but at other 

 times it is similar to that of the Blackbird's nest. The internal 

 diameter of one now before me is four and a half inches, its 

 depth two and three-fourths, and the thickness of its walls an 

 inch and three quarters. The eggs, usually four, or from three 

 to five, are of a regular oblongo-oval form, an inch and three- 

 twelfths in length, by ten-twelfths, flesh-coloured, or purplish- 

 white, marked with irregular scattered spots of light brownish- 

 red and more obscure spots of purplish-red. 



Two broods are generally reared in the season, and the young 

 of the first nest keep together, or even unite with those of other 



