92 SONG THRUSH. 



affords a low and comparatively bare shelter. Its 

 European range is also pretty general, but we are 

 not aware of its being traced beyond this division 

 of the world. It continues resident with us during 

 the year ; and we do not know that any of them 

 which are bred here migrate, but we have an 

 annual addition to our numbers, which arrive pro- 

 bably from the north of Europe, a little previously 

 to the appearance of the redwing and fieldfare. 

 These, on their arrival, may be found abundantly 

 in the turnip fields, and congregated in the moist 

 pastures. They remain for a short period, and 

 then appear to depart still farther to the south. 

 We do not think that any of our real natives, and 

 Mr Selby has expressed the same opinion, thus 

 congregate. During a severe storm, small parties 

 may be seen together in the vicinity of food of 

 feeding ground ; but they are attracted by a com- 

 mon cause, and not by that instinctive desire of 

 congregating together, which we perceive among 

 most birds which perform extensive journeys. 



The Thrush breeds early, and has frequently 

 two broods in the year. The nest is built gene- 

 rally not very high above the ground. Ever- 

 greens are a favourite shelter, and the young 

 spruces and silver firs frequently afford it a wel- 

 come concealment. Where ivy abounds it is also 

 often selected ; and in the want of any of these, 

 the hazel or white and black thorns are usually 

 taken as a substitute. It is composed exteriorly 

 with roots, strong grasses, and slender twigs mixed 

 with moss, and the interior is plastered smoothly 



