6 THE SONG THRUSH. 



This species feeds on snails, earthworms, insects, hips, 

 fruit, and various berries, such as those of the yew, holly, 

 and mountain-ash or rowan. 



I have sometimes noticed it breaking the shells of snails 

 which it finds by the sides of walls, garden palings, and 

 such places ; and have observed that it seizes the shell with 

 its bill, and strikes it against a stone until it is broken, 

 when it devours the contents. 



Yarrell says that "in the vine countries of Europe it 

 feasts luxuriantly during autumn on ripe grapes, and in 

 many parts of the Continent it is in great request for the 

 table at that time, from the excellent condition and flavour 

 which abundance of this food imparts to its flesh ; " and he 

 adds that the beginning of the Drosselzug or Chasse aux 

 Grives is regarded in many places nearly as the 12th of 

 August and the 1st of September are with us, Phil Eobin- 

 son, in the Poets Birds, alluding to the use of song-birds 

 for the table, remarks : — "Was ever the sweet myrtle so 

 wickedly abused as in Sardinia, where they use it as a pickle 

 for Thrushes ?" 



The Song Thrush begins to pair in March, and towards 

 the end of that month, or the beginning of April — 



.... his song a partner for him gains ; 

 And in the hazel bush, or sloe, is formed 

 The habitation of the wedded pair. 



Grahame, Birds of Scotland. 



The nest is often built in a holly or yew in a garden or 

 shrubbery ; while in plantations it is frequently placed in a 

 young spruce fir. It is composed externally of small sticks, 

 roots, grass, and moss, and is lined with a thin layer of 

 mud, cow-dung, or rotten wood. 



It has been observed that the cock takes his share in 

 incubating, and often feeds the hen while she is sitting. 

 The eggs, which are from four to six in number, and of a 



