82 MERULIDJE. 



crow to the gun, the protecting net to that which 

 captures. 



The Thrush holds a high rank, too, among birds as an 

 architect. Its nest is usually placed in a thorn-bush, a 

 larch or young fir-tree, a furze-bush, an apple or pear tree, 

 or an ordinary hedge, at no great elevation from the ground, 

 and not concealed with much attempt at art. Indeed, as 

 it begins to build very early, it is only when it selects an 

 evergreen that it has much chance of effectually hiding its 

 retreat. The nest externally is composed of feather-moss, 

 intermatted with bents^ twigs, and small roots, and termi- 

 nates above in a thicker rim of the same materials. Thus 

 far the bird has displayed her skill as basket-maker. The 

 outer case is succeeded by a layer of cow-dung, applied in 

 small pellets, and cemented with saliva. The builder, 

 with a beak for her only trowel, has now completed the 

 mason's work. But she has yet to show her skill as a 

 plasterer ; this she does by lining her cup-like chamber 

 with stucco made from decayed wood, pulverized and 

 reduced to a proper consistence, kneading it with her beak. 

 With this for her sole instrument, except her round breast, 

 to give to the whole the requisite form, she has constructed 

 a circular bowl sufficiently compact to exclude air and 

 water, as true and as finely finished as if it had been 

 moulded on a potter's wheel, or turned on a lathe. 



The Thrush lays four or five eggs, and rears several 

 broods in the season, building a new nest for each brood. 

 During incubation the female is very tame, and will suffer 

 herself to be approached quite closely without deserting 

 her post. In the vicinity of houses, where she is familiar 

 with the human form, she will even take worms and other 

 food from the hand. 



