74 MERULIN^E, OR THRUSHES. 



The true Thrushes, in all their members, taken 

 collectively and in adaptation to their general 

 habits, shew considerable perfection. The parts 

 are adapted for extensive locomotion, either in 

 walking or perching, or during flight ; many per- 

 form long migrations, and extensive flights are 

 taken even in those countries where the climate 

 does not render this annual removal necessary. 

 They are nearly omnivorous ; a great part of their 

 sustenance is sought for upon the ground, particu- 

 larly during that season when insects are not in- 

 dispensable for the welfare of their broods ; and 

 their feet and tarsi are admirably formed for 

 walking and inspecting the various places where 

 their food is then chiefly to be found ; at other 

 times, they live upon fruits and other vegetables, 

 with the larvae of insects, and the abundant sup- 

 ply of large and succulent caterpillars ; but during 

 winter, the molusca and worms common to low 

 meadows and moist woods, such as the various 

 snails, &c. are nearly their only food ; for after 

 the first month of the inclement season has passed, 

 most of the winter wild fruits and berries have 

 fallen from their stocks, or have been already con- 

 sumed by the various tribes which subsist upon 

 them. Very few of the species are quite solitary. 

 During the breeding season the greater part of 

 them separate into pairs ; but after the broods 

 have been reared, they congregate either into 

 large flocks, or in groups of five or six. Those of 

 smaller numbers generally become more domestic, 

 and approach dwellings and cultivated districts 



