BIRDS. 329 



the body on a forked branch, or upon a sharp thorn, the more 

 readily to tear off small pieces from it. It is from this habit 

 of killing and hanging up their meat, which is observed also 

 in other Shrikes, that they have been generally called Butcher- 

 birds. They are not plentiful in these countries. 



Passing by the Fly-catchers (Muscicapidce), of which there 

 are only two native species, we come to that of the Thrushes 

 {Merulidce). To this family belongs the Water Ouzel {Cin- 

 clus aquaticus), a bird which frequents rocky streams, and the 

 banks of rapid rivers in mountainous districts. " With the 

 romantic and picturesque in scenery," says Mr. Thompson, 

 " this bird is associated, frequenting the stream only so far as 

 it can boast of such charming accompaniments ; whenever it 

 descends to the lowlands to move sluggishly through the plain 

 the Water Ouzel forsakes it, to continue in its upland haunts." 



A question has arisen in reference to the habits of this bird> 

 whether it can or cannot walk underneath the water. Mr. 

 St. John, the latest writer upon tlie question, expressly states? 

 in opposition to Mr. Waterton, that on two or three occasions 

 he has seen the Water Ouzel walk deliberately down into the 

 water, and inin about on the gravel at the bottom, scratching 

 with his feet among the small stones, and picking away at all 

 the small insects and animalcules which he could dislodge.* 



The Missel Thrush (Tardus viscivorus) is in England con- 

 sidered only as an early songster, but in Ireland its song may 

 be heard at every season of the year, with the exception of the 

 moulting season. That of the Fieldfare, a migrating Thrush 

 that arrives from the noi-th towards the end of October, and 

 remains in these countries in large flocks during the winter, 

 is described as soft and melodious. But the present genus 

 contains two species, which beai- away the prize in minstrelsy 

 from any of their associates — the Song Thrush (Turdus 

 musicus), and the Blackbird {T. merula), "The Mavis and 

 Merle" of the Border Ballads. The poet has in one line 

 ehai-acterized both the song and the hamits of the one last 

 mentioned : — - 



" The Blackbird whistles from the thorny brake." 



Thomson's Skasoxs. 



The Thrush usually haunts woods and small plantations, but 

 we have heard its song poured out on one of the wildest 



• Wild Sports of the Highlands. 



