126 TURDUS VISCIVORUS. 



The flesh of this species aiFords good eating, being similar 

 to that of the Fieldfare, but tougher and generally leaner than 

 that of the Blackbird. 



Young. — The young when fledged are much more beauti- 

 fully coloured than the old birds. Their bill is flesh-coloured, 

 with the upper mandible dusky ; the feet also flesh-coloured, 

 with the claws brownish. The general colour of the upper 

 parts is pale yellowish-brown ; the feathers of the head with 

 a whitish spot in the centre, those of the back with an oblong 

 central mark of greyish-yellow, the tip dark-brown. The 

 quills and tail-feathers are wood-brown, margined with greyish- 

 yellow. The lower parts are pale-yellow, each feather with 

 a triangular brownish- black mark on the tip. 



Progress toward Maturity. — At the first moult, which is 

 completed by the end of November, the bird assumes the ap- 

 pearance described as that of the adult. 



