SONG-THEUSH. 



TuRDUs 3IUSICUS, Linnseus. 



Local Names — Throstle, Mavis (rarely, in Furness). 



Eesident and common everywhere, even in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the largest towns, and Mr. J. Hardy informs 

 me that near Manchester it breeds regular^, chiefly in 

 gardens and enclosures. In severe winters it is partially 

 migratory, many birds going southwards, and Mr. John 

 Weld, of Leagram Hall, says that it retires altogether 

 from the vicinity of Chipping. Its plastered nest is 

 well known, and the late Mr. Thomas Garnett, of 

 Clitheroe, wrote (Mar/, of Xat. Hist., 1830) : " I agree 

 with Mr. Jennings that the Throstle does not line its 

 nest with mud, but generally with some compost of 

 which cow-dung forms a part, although I have found 

 [nests] lined entirely of rotten wood. It is a fact also 

 that it invariably lays the first egg whilst the lining is 

 wet." The Rev. Henry Berry says (Mcui. of Xat. Hist., 

 1834): "I have known Throstles, which had been 

 robbed of their nests after one or two eggs had been 

 laid, rebuild in a surprisingly short period and even 

 upon the old foundation. I once took a nest, containing 

 three eggs, but accidentally left behind the coarse 

 external part of the nest ; circumstances led me by the 

 place on the following morning, when I observed the 

 Throstle seated on the remnant of her nest, in which 

 she had deposited her fourth egg, having, since the day 

 before (that of the robbery), plastered it with the usual 

 coating of rotten wood, moist earth, and perhaps a little 

 cow-dung." The same gentleman also says (Mat/. Xat. 



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