SONG THRUSH. ]3^ 



No more, pray : the Thrush's song is inimitable, and inde- 

 scribable. It is heard at all seasons in fine weather, but espe- 

 cially in spring and summer, particularly in the early morning 

 and about sunset. But it is not in sunshine only that this 

 gentle songster warbles its wild notes ; for often in the midst 

 of the thick rain, it takes its stand in some sheltered spot, under 

 the cover of a projecting crag or stone, and for hours perhaps 

 amuses itself with repeating its never-tiring modulations. 



The Song Thrush, which is a resident species, is distributed 

 over all parts of Scotland and England. In summer it prefers- 

 the woods and hill-sides, the bushy banks of streams, and shel- 

 tered places at some distance from human habitations, although 

 in cultivated districts it often nestles in the orchards, gardens, 

 and hedges. In winter the individuals which had made the 

 woods and glens their summer residence, approach the houses, 

 and feed in the gardens and fields, or betake themselves to the 

 rocky shores, where they find subsistence by breaking the 

 welks and other shell-fish. 



Although in the cultivated districts it is seldom seen unless 

 among the bushes or hedges, it is capable of flying to a great 

 distance, which it does in gentle curves, with quick flaps, in- 

 termitted at intervals, sometimes at a considerable height, but 

 more frequently only so high as to clear the trees. Its flight 

 is always rapid, and it selects its place with quickness, settling 

 instantaneously. 



When on the ground, and in the attitude of observation, it 

 droops its wings a little, keeps its tail nearly horizontal, and 

 raises its head obliquely. On observing a worm or other ob- 

 ject, it leaps briskly towards it, picks it up, or, if it has with- 

 drawn, pecks at the earth until it has seized it. Its general 

 mode of progression on the ground is by leaping. When in a 

 listless mood, it droops the tail and wings, draws in its neck, 

 and ruffles its feathers. In this attitude it may often be seen 

 perched on a tree, bush, or stone. 



Its food is chiefly found on the ground, and consists of snails, 

 earth-worms, larvfe, coleoptera, heps, berries, and seeds of 

 various kinds. Helix aspersa, hortensis, and nemoralis supply 

 great part of its food in winter. It breaks the shells by raising 



