FOR CAGES AND A VI ARIES. 



97 



then breed freely in confinement. A solitary female even 

 will lay, and then perform the part of foster-mother to the 

 orphaned young of other Thrushes, the eggs of which she 

 will hatch as if they were her own, rearing the young 

 successfully either in or out of doors. 



The diseases to which the bird is subject are obstruction of 

 the rump gland, which arises from insufficient opportunities 



The Missel Thrush 



for bathing ; also constipation and atrophy, which are the 

 result of injudicious treatment in the matter of diet, and 

 consequent indigestion. A return to a more natural kind 

 of feeding will in the latter case usually effect a cure, 

 unless the bird is too far gone. 



Morris agrees with Bechstein that the song of the 



