THE THRUSH AND ITS AFFINITIES. 



PLATE II . T HRUSH AND NEST. 



With the Thrush we may rank the red-wing, the field- 

 fare, the black-bird, the ring-ouzel, and the water-ouzel. 

 These are the largest of the sparrow kind, and, may be 

 distinguished from all others of this class, as well by their 

 size, which is well known, as by their bills, which are a 

 little bending at the point ; a small notch near the end of 

 the upper chap ; and the outmost toe adhering as far as 

 the first joint of the middle toe. To this tribe may be 

 also added the. stare or starling, which, though with a 

 flat bill, too much resembles 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 sea- 

 son. Its song is very fine, which it begins in spring, sit- 

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

 all the featheied tribe that has music in its voice ; the note 

 of all greater birds being 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 black-bird, which in cold countries, and particu- 

 larly upon the Alps, is sometimes seen all over white, is a 

 beautiful canorous bird, whistling all the spring and sum- 

 mer 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 unpleasant in a cage, being loud and deaf- 

 ening. It lays four or five bluish eggs, in a nest usually 



