142° SYNOPSIS (AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX 
16. THRUSH. COMMON SONG-THRUSH 
(Pages 17-21) 
Turdus musicus. Syn.: Throstle (the Latin root of 
the name is Turdus, Throstle is a diminutive), Mavis 
(French Mauvis, from an old Celtic root), etc. (One 
of the Dentirostres. See Nightingale.) Distinguish the 
Missel Thrush, which is much larger, being 114 inches 
long, the song-thrush only 84 inches long. The spots on 
the chest and front part of the body of the missel too are 
fewer and larger. The redwing resembles the common 
song-thrush, but is smaller, has no spots, and is only 
seen here in winter. It utters a drawn-out plaintive cry, 
especially during flight—which may be represented by 
letters thus : Tschi—uh. The fieldfare, too, is like the 
song-thrush, but is larger. His note is ‘chtk chak,’ 
and it shows pale grey behind, above his blackish tail. 
It, too, is only a winter visitor. Not migratory unless 
the cold be severe, when they go South in flocks. In 
winter many come to us from northern parts. A pair 
are seen together at nesting time—otherwise they live 
singly. Haunts: Almost everywhere.. Food: Snails, 
worms, caterpillars, and garden and field pests generally, 
with ripe fruit also ‘1 summer. In winter they live on 
snails and berries. Plumage: Chiefly light and dark 
brown, the chest and front of body of a lighter shade 
with numerous Diack spots. Male and female almost 
