TU RUSHES. 



THRUSHES, BLACKBIRD, OUZEL, ORIOLE, 

 AND WAXWING. 



A T tlio end of tlio cTiapter accompanying onr last group we gave 

 our readers a sliort account of the general form, proportions, and 

 habits of the Turdinoe, or Thrushes. Of the birds placed by ornitho- 

 logists in this interesting family, three were mentioned and fully described 

 in the pages that followed, and the remaining British species aro in- 

 cluded in our present group. First we have an important contributor 

 to tho natural music of tho woods and glades, the favourite Song 

 Thrush. Of this sweet minstrel Graham writes— 



"The Thrush's song 

 Is varied as his plumes; and as his plumes 

 Blend beauteous, each with each, so run his notes 

 Smoothly, with many a hapjjy rise and fall. 

 How prettily, upon his parded breast. 

 The vividly contrasting tints unite 

 To please the admiring eye; so, loud and soft. 

 And high and low, all in his notes combine. 

 In alternation sweet, to charm the ear." 



The Song Thrush is about two inches shorter than the Missel Thrush, 



and has a longer bill in proportion to its size, but in general form it 



closely resembles that bird. The Rock Thrush, the smallest of its 



family, has been met with in this country in a few instances only, 



although it is moderately abundant in most of the mountainous parts 



2 o 



