THE SONG THRUSH. 7 



wild Thrushes. They sulk at first, but a few lively worms quickly induce 

 them to feed. 



Family TURD1D4E Subfamily TURDINdE.. 



THE SONG THRUSH. 



Turdus musiciis, LINN. 



FOUND throughout the Palsearctic Region, but rare in the extreme Bast, 

 generally migrator}' in Western Europe, though resident in some countries; 

 generally distributed throughout the British Islands, though of rare occurrence in 

 the Shetlands. In England this bird is a partial migrant, great numbers 

 travelling southward late in the autumn biit returning to their old haunts at 

 the first sign of spring weather; nevertheless, a considerable number remains 

 with us during the winter. 



The adult bird above is deep olive-brown, the wing coverts tipped with 

 bright deep buff, under parts mostly 'white, the cheeks somewhat yellowish, 

 streaked with brown; the breast and sides ochraceons buff, boldly marked with 

 fan-shaped black spots ; spots on the white ventral surface of the body more 

 elongated, spindle-shaped and less numerous ; bill dark brown, paler at the 

 base of the lower mandible; legs pale brown, iris brown. The female resembles 

 the male, but has a slightly broader head. Nestlings differ from adults in 

 having the upper parts mottled with buff. 



Wherever there is cover, you may expect to see the Song Thrush, he is 

 fond of shrubberies, hedgerows, and all places which afford partial conceal- 

 ment. Watch him in the garden, you will see him running down a path, 

 stopping after every few feet to look cautiously around; now he spies a large 

 bush or evergreen upon a bed to right or left and suddenly darting under 

 it commences to dig vigorously for worms ; presently he appears again upon 

 another path running as before and again disappearing in like manner, he 



