FOR CAGES AND A VIARIES. 195 



THE THICK-KNEE, OR STONE CURLEW. 



This is a migratory species, which is also known by 

 the names of Great Plover and Norfolk Plover. It comes 

 to us in IMarch and April, and stays to breed, laying on 

 the bare ground. The young run almost as soon as they 

 come out of the shell, and have a curious habit of squat- 

 ting on the earth with head thrown back and outstretched 

 wings, when from their resemblance to the weather-worn 

 stones around them they often escape notice. 



.^v 



They live on beetles and other insects, snails, slugs, 

 worms, and swallow a good deal of grit to aid digestion. 

 They are easily domesticated, but must be protected from 

 cold during the cold part of the year or they quickly fall 

 into a decline and die from exhaustion. 



THE THRUSHES. 



In addition to the birds described hereunder, the Black- 

 bird, Fieldfare, and Redwing belong to the Thrush family, 

 but are for popular reasons described in this book under 

 their own headings. 



