MERULIN^E, Oil THRUSHES. 75 



on the approach of winter, while the birds which 

 congregate into large flocks are always remarkably 

 shy, and difficult to be approached, the flock being 

 on the alert the moment the note of alarm has 

 been uttered by one more watchful than the rest. 

 Their cry or note is harsh and sharp, or shrill and 

 monotonous, except during the season of incuba- 

 tion ; at this period the notes of some are remark- 

 ably pensive and melancholy, while others possess 

 considerable compass of voice, accompanied with 

 great melody. On this account they are univer- 

 sal favourites, and in all countries are listened to 

 with pleasure, and with feelings which recall many 

 recollections and associations of days which had 

 long passed away. Their melodies, however, do 

 not save them from varied persecutions. In many 

 countries they are used for food, and are taken in 

 the south of Europe by various snares for this 

 purpose ; and in North America the destruction 

 of some of the species is described by Wilson to 

 be immense. In geographical distribution, the 

 genus will range extensively in every quarter of 

 the world ; but the greatest numbers seem con- 

 fined to regions of a moderate degree of tempera- 

 ture. Europe possesses twelve * species authen- 

 tically described, of which our British list can now 

 boast of seven individuals. We have selected 

 for an illustration a very beautiful and perfectly 

 typical species. 





 * See Temm. Supp. 



