8 
secured to the growing reeds. The ego's, four or 
five in number and an inch and a half in length, 
are of a dull white. 
BEACK BY &.D: 
TurDUS MERULA, Lin. 
This well-known bird, a native of the British 
Islands, is so familiar to English readers that little 
need be said of its haunts or habits. Never 
associating with its fellows, but preferrmg a 
solitary life, it frequents woods and thickets, and 
being of a shy and restless disposition, and always 
anxious to escape observation, it seeks the ever- 
ereens for concealment: out of which, when 
alarmed, it darts with great celerity, its presence 
being known only by the sharp ery it utters. Its 
notes are rich, but destitute of that melody of 
song which is so pleasing in the Common Thrush. 
When kept in confinement however, which it 
frequently is, it may be taught to whistle various 
tunes, and to imitate the song of other birds, 
and even the human voice. It usually builds its 
nest in a thick bush or ivy-clad tree, and lays 
four or five eggs of a bluish green hue, blotched 
more or less with darker markings, but often 
varying very much in colour. 
