2 THE SONG THRUSH. 



Amongst the chorus of birds which may be heard in 

 our woods and groves on fine evenings in the pleasant 

 month of May/ the melodious strains of the Thrush con- 

 stantly fall upon the enraptured ear. " Listen ! " says Mac- 

 gillivray, " to the clear, loud notes that, in the softened 

 sunshine, are poured forth in such wild melody. What do 

 they resemble ? — 



Dear, dear, clear, 



Is the rocky glen ; 

 Far away, far away, far awa}' 



The haunts of men. 

 Here shall we dwell in love, 

 With the lark and the dove, 

 Cuckoo and corn-rail ; 

 Feast on the banded snail, 



Worm, and gilded fly : 

 Drink of the crystal rill, 

 Winding adown the hill. 



Never to dry. 

 With glee, with glee, with glee. 



Cheer up, cheer up, cheer up ; here 

 Nothing to harm us ; then sing merrily. 

 Sing to the loved ones whose nest is near, 



Qui, qui, qui, kweeu, quip, 



Tiurru, tiurru, chipiwi. 



Too-tee, too-tee, chiu chon. 



Chirri, chirri, chooee, 



Quiu, qui, qui ! "' 



The Thrush is generally considered to be the best of our 

 larger singing birds, and its song continues from early 

 spring^ until summer is well advanced. Sir Walter Scott, 



1 The Scottish poet, Alexander Scott, who wrote u the time of Qaeen Mary,, 

 says in his " Gratulation to the moneth of May " : — 



In May the pleasant spray upsprings, 

 In May the mirthful Maveis sings. 



Chron. Scot. Poet., Sibrald, iii. p. 161. 



'- A Mavis was heard singing at Pa.xton as early in the season as 23rt January 

 1888 ; one was also beard as late as 11th November 1887. 



