288 THE SONG-THRUSH. 



tell us, the bird was confined in a cage, and debarred access 

 to wine, its poll was soon again replenished with feathers ! 



The Song-Thrush (Sdng-Trast, or Song-Thrush, Sw. ; 

 T. musicus, Linn.) was common with us, in the summer 

 time at least. It is also common throughout almost the 

 whole length and breadth of Scandinavia. Next to the field- 

 fare, it is, perhaps, the most abundant of the thrush tribe. 

 If the weather be unusually mild, some remain in the 

 peninsula throughout the winter ; but generally they migrate 

 to warmer climes. 



In the far north, the song of this bird is heard during 

 nearly the whole of the night. From it thus enlivening the 

 otherwise lone and desolate forest during calm and light nights 

 with its melodious notes, it has more especially attracted 

 people's attention, and given rise to the appropriate name of 

 Natt-Vaka, or night- watcher; Tal-Trast, or speaking-thrush ; 

 Nordisk Naktergal, or northern nightingale, and others. 



Though the peasantry, as well in Sweden as in other 

 countries, seldom possess any great sensibility for music, 

 the song of this bird has made such an impression upon 

 their minds, that they have attempted to express it in words. 

 When, for instance^ the peasant in the spring commences 

 ploughing at which period, from the want of sufficient 

 forage during the past long and dreary winter, his beast is 

 in but sorry condition the song- thrush thus mockingly 

 reproaches him : 



Si Bon' den token 



Si Bon' den token, 



Saljer bort oxen ocli kor med stuten. 



Si hur ban stretar 



Si hur ban stretar, 



Ha, ha, ha ha, ha, ha ! 



