A FRIEND IN NEED. 



Mr, Knapp, in his ' Journal of a Naturalist,' has related 

 an interesting fact in reference to the Thrush, in the follow- 

 ing terms : 



We observed this summer two common Thrushes frequenting the 

 shrubs on the green in our garden. From the slenderness of their 

 forms and the freshness of their plumage, we pronounced them to be 

 birds of the preceding summer. There was an association and 

 friendship between them that called our attention to their actions. 

 One of them seemed ailing, or feeble from some bodily accident ; for 

 though it hopped about, yet it appeared unable to obtain sufficiency 

 of food. Its companion, an active sprightly bird, would frequently 

 bring it worms or bruised snails, when they mutually partook of the 

 banquet ; and the ailing bird would wait patiently, understand the 

 actions, expect the assistance of the other, and advance from his 

 asylum upon its approach. This procedure was continued for some 

 days ; but after a time we missed the fostered bird, which probably 

 died, or by reason of its weakness met with some fatal accident. 



Although the song of the Thrush may be heard throughout 

 the greater part of the year, yet it is in the months of 

 April, May, and June, that it is most jubilant and frequent. 

 The birds pair in March, and about the beginning of April 

 begin to construct the nest, which is composed externally 

 of slender twigs, roots, grass, and moss, and is lined with a 



