SONG-THKISH. 265 



Islands, even iu places of the most diverse kind, from the 

 storm-swept cliffs of St. Kilda to the smiling meadows, 

 woods and gardens of southern England. It feeds on snails 

 (the shells of which it breaks dexterously against a stone, as, 

 in the Hebrides, it also does those of the whelk), insects, 

 worms and, according to season, on fruit and various berries. 

 In the vine-countries of Europe, it feasts luxuriously during 

 autumn on ripe grapes ; and in many parts of the continent 

 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. Prudent gardeners, who surround their 

 fruit with nets, have nothing to fear from the Song-Thrush, 

 and much for which to be thankful' to it. 



White of Selborne considered it a rule, that whenever 

 there was incubation, there was music ; and the early spring- 

 song of this Thrush truly indicates the early breeder. The 

 nest is begun in March, and is frequently placed in the 

 middle of a thick and tall bush or shrub, sometimes in a 

 holly or fir, while occasionally this bird has been known to 

 build in an outhouse, and even, though rarely, on the ground. 

 The nest is formed externally of sticks, roots and moss, 

 generally mixed with some lumps of clay ; the inside is 

 smooth and compact, being lined with a thin coating of 

 rotten wood, and, as is said, sometimes of cow-dung, so 

 prepared with saliva, so equally spread and cemented, as to be, 

 for a time, watertight ; and such a quantity of rain-water 

 has been found in an exposed Song- Thrush's nest, as to 

 induce the belief that the nest had been deserted as un- 

 tenable. The eggs are from four to six in number, of 

 a beautiful shining, light, or sometimes deep, greenish-blue, 

 with black spots, blotches or streaks, chiefly at the larger 

 end — but sometimes without markings ; while, rarely but 

 occasionally, the markings are of a dark red, and nests have 

 been known with the eggs of a pure white ground-colour and 

 a few rusty spots. The eggs usually measure from 1'14 to 

 •96 by from "81 to '74 in., but an exceptionally large egg 

 will measure 1*92 by -92, and an exceptionally small one -69 

 by '58 in. In its style of nest-lniilding and the normal colour- 



VOL. I, MM 



