58 THE THRUSH. 



satisfies, as it were, the very soul of the listener. 

 In the wild state he sings only during the spring ; 

 but, when caged and properly treated, will sing eight 

 or nnie months of the year, commencing about 

 'December or January. It is for this reason, as well 

 as for his beautiful song, that the thrush is so much 

 kept in cages, and domesticated. 



He must have a large cage, well strewn with 

 coarse sand or gravel, and should be well supplied 

 with water for drinking and bathing ; but his bath 

 should be taken away when used, as the bird is 

 liable to cramp. The food and water should be put 

 outside of the cage, if possible. The thrush will 

 live many years in confinement, if properly fed and 

 cared for. The ailment to which he is most subject 

 is constipation. A large spider is the best remedy ; 

 abundance of pure fresh air, and a change of diet, 

 should be given. The male and female are so much 

 alike in color, that it is very difficult to distinguish 

 them : the female is a little smaller, and has not 

 quite such a glossy brown plumage as the male ; so 

 that the purchaser of a thrush should make sure of 

 the sex by hearing the song. Tlie male has great 

 imitative powers, and will readily learn tunes played 

 on wind instruments or whistled to him. Food 

 same as preceding. 



