The Thrush. 207 



and markings blue-spotted and streaked with 

 black are noticeable and unlike those of any of 

 our other birds. The cock-bird certainly cannot 

 be accused of laziness, as not only does he take 

 his turn from time to time upon the nest during 

 the period of incubation, but also attentively feeds 

 the hen while she is sitting. 



Thrushes are early breeders ; so early, indeed, 

 that with the first warm days of the new year 

 the cocks begin, as we have said, to sing a 

 certain sign that they are preparing to nest. 

 Gilbert White, indeed, " laid it down as a maxim 

 in ornithology that so long as there is any incuba- 

 tion going on there is music." This year they 

 were singing in the latter end of January; but 

 the terrible weather that followed the comparative 

 warmth of that month drove for the time all idea 

 of nesting from their minds, if, indeed, it was not 

 the cause of death to many of them, as they are, 

 strange though it may appear with such apparently 

 hardy birds, most susceptible to cold, especially if 

 accompanied by snow. In this respect the London 

 birds are better off than those that live in the 

 country, as not only can they find more shelter 

 from the inclemency of the weather, but they have 

 more chance of being fed by human friends. This 

 fact the birds of the district round London are 

 apparently capable of appreciating, as in very hard 

 weather they move into town, and may then be 

 seen in considerable numbers. 



This bird is well named the song-thrush, its 



