THE SONG THRUSH. 9 



though sometimes over the whole surface, or only on the smaller end; spotless 

 examples occur also, but rarely, though I have taken entire clutches without marking ; 

 on the other hand some eggs are heavily blotched, and one, which I have 

 represented on Plate xxxvu. of my " Handbook of British Oology," has these 

 blotches so arranged as to form an irregular half-zone towards the larger end. 

 The form of the eggs of this species usually varies between a short pear- 

 shape and a true oval; in size they differ a good deal, probably the largest 

 eggs are deposited by the older birds. 



When sitting, the hen Song Thrush is not easily scared from her nest; 

 possibly she may dread to uncover her very conspicuous eggs, and may hope 

 that her protective colouring and absohite stillness will serve to protect them; 

 so she sits close, her bill pointed upwards above one side of her castle, her 

 tail cocked up over the other, until one may almost put one's hand upon 

 her; then suddenly she is gone like a shadow,' usually without noise,* and the 

 bright spotted eggs are exposed to view. 



Without doubt the comparative difficulty of flushing the Song Thrush 

 does tend to its preservation : even a Naturalist, unless he is a bird-nester, 

 often fails to notice the nest; though, when one has acquired eyes to recognize 

 birds' homes at a glance, it seems marvellous that so conspicuous an object, 

 and one so common in well-wooded country, can fail to be observed. 



The Song Thrush is one of the earliest birds to sing and also go to 

 nest ; in unusually mild seasons it will build as early as February, but March 

 to August may be considered its breeding season, May and June being the 

 months when nests of this bird are most abundant. 



The song of the Throstle or Mavis (as North countrymen call it) is very 

 loud ; so much so, that in a room or conservatory its notes are almost 

 unbearable ; in the open, however, they are cheerful and inspiring, though 

 somewhat monotonous, each phrase being repeated at least four times in 

 succession, and occasionally (more especially when the musician has hit 

 upon something novel), as many as seven or eight times. To my 

 mind the song is rather joyous and vigorous, than melodious : when heard at 

 early dawn as one wakens, it pleases the first time, annoys the second, 

 irritates the third, and finally becomes an intolerable nuisance: the Blackbird's 

 melody, on the contrary, is always welcome. As one lies in bed trying to 

 sleep, the whistle of the Song Thrush resolves itself into short sentences. I 



* Seebohm states that, when put off her nest " her harsh cries and active motions, with those of her 

 mate, awaken the silent woods, and speak most plainly of the anxiety of the birds for their treasure." I have not 

 found this to be the case, excepting where the young were almost ready to fly, and only when they have 

 uttered a cry of alarm. 



VOL. I. C 



