The Song Thrush. 7 



two notes, one high, the other low, its song was far behind that of the 



Ox-eye Tit for melody. There is not the least trouble in keeping and taming 



wild Thrushes. They sulk at first, but a few lively worms quickly induce 

 them to feed. 



Family— TURDID^. Subfamily— TURBINE. 



The Song Thrush. 



Turdus musicus, Linn. 



FOUND throughout the Palsarctic Region, but rare in the extreme East, 

 generally migratory in Western Europe, though resident in some countries; 

 generally distributed throughout the British Islands, though of rare 

 occurrence in the Shetlands. In England this bird is a partial migrant, great 

 numbers travelling southward late in the autumn but returning to their old haunts 

 at the first sign of spring weather ; nevertheless, a considerable number remains 

 with us during the winter. 



The adult bird above is deep olive-brown, the wing coverts tipped with 

 bright deep buff, under parts mostly white, the cheeks somewhat yellowish, 

 streaked with brown ; the breast and sides ochraceous buff, boldly marked with 

 fan-shaped black spots ; spots on the white ventral surface of the body more 

 elongated, spindle-shaped and less numerous ; bill dark brown, paler at the 

 base of the lower mandible ; legs pale brown, iris brown. The female resembles 

 the male, but has a slightly broader head and thicker bill. Nestlings differ 

 from adults in having the upper parts mottled with buff. 



Wherever there is cover, 3'ou may expect to see the Song Thrush, he is 



B 



