THE SPARROW KIND. 



539 





CHAPTER CVII. 



OF THE THRUSH, AND ITS AFFINITIES. 



WITH the Thrush we may rank the red- 

 wing, the fieldfare, the blackbird, the 'ring- 

 ouzel, and the water-ouzel. These are the 

 largest of the sparrow kind, and may be dis- 

 tinguished from all others of this class, as 

 well by their size, which is well known, as by 

 their bills, whi li are a little bending at the 

 point; a small notch near the end of the up- 

 per chap ; and the outmost toe adhering as far 

 as the first joint of t e middle toe. To this 

 tribe nny be also ad ed the stare or starling, 

 which, though with a flat bill, too much re- 

 sembles these birds to be placed any where 

 else. 



The missel-thrush is distinguished from all 

 of the kind by its superior size, being much 

 larger than any of them. It differs scarcely in 

 any other respect from the throstle, except 

 that the spots on the breast are larger. It 

 builds its nest in bushes, or on the side of some 

 tree, as all of this kind are found to do, and 

 lays four or five eggs in the season. Its song 

 is very fine, which it begins in spring, sitting 

 on the summit of a high tree. It is the largest 

 bird of all the feathered tribe that has music 

 in its voice ; the note of all greater birds be- 

 ing either screaming, chattering, or croaking. 

 It feeds on insects, holly, and mistletoe-berries; 

 and sometimes sends forth a very disagreeable 

 scream when frighted or disturbed. 



The blackbird, which in cold countries, and 

 particularly upon the Alps, is sometimes seen 

 all over white, is a beautiful and canorous bird, 

 whistling all the spring and summer time 

 with a note, at a distance, the most pleasing 

 of all the grove. It is the deepest toned 

 warbler of the woods ; but it is rather unplea- 

 sant in a cage, being loud and deafening. It 

 lays four or five bluish eggs, in a nest usually 

 built at the stump of some old hawthorn, well 

 plastered on the inside with clay, straw, and 

 hair. 



Pleasing, however, as this bird may be, the 

 Blue-bird, described by Bellonius, is in every 

 respect far superior. This beautiful animal 



NO. 45 it 46. 



entirely resembles a blackbird in all but its 

 blue colour. It lives in the highest parts of 

 the Alps, and even there chooses the most 

 craggy rocks and the most frightful precipices 

 for its residence. As it is rarely caught, it is 

 in high estimation even in the countries where 

 it breeds, but still more valuable when carried 

 from home. It not only whistles in the most 

 delightful manner, but speaks with an articu- 

 late distinct voice. It is so docile, and ob- 

 serves all things with such diligence, that 

 though waked at midnight by any of the fami- 

 ly, it will speak and whistle at the word of 

 command. Its colour, about the beginning of 

 winter, from blue becomes black, which 

 changes to its original hue on the first ap- 

 proaches of spring. It makes its nest in deep 

 holes, in very high and iuacessible solitudes, 

 and removes it not only from the accesses of 

 man, but also hides it with surprising cunning 

 from the shammoy and other wild beasts that 

 might annoy its young. 



The manner of taking this beautiful bird is 

 said to be this. The fowlers, either by chance 

 or by lying in wait, having found out the place- 

 where it builds, take with them a strong stilt or 

 stake, such as the climbers of rocks make use 

 of to assist them in their ascent. With the 

 assistance of this, they mount where an indif- 

 ferent spectator would think it impossible to 

 ascend, covering their heads at the same time 

 to ward off any danger of the failing of pebbles 

 or stones from above. At length, with ex- 

 treme toil and danger, having arrived at the 

 nest, they draw it up from the hole in \\hich 

 it is usually buried, and cherish the young with 

 an assiduity equal to the pains they took to 

 obtain them. It produces for the most part 

 five young, and never more; it seldom de- 

 scends into the plain country, flies swifter than 

 a blackbird, and uses the same food. 



The fieldfare and the redwing make but a 

 short stay in this country. With us they are 

 insipid tuneless birds, flying in flocks, and ex- 

 cessively watchful to preserve the general 



41 



