88 IN BIRD-LAND 



rows, and which at this time are filled up with dead 

 leaves, by using them as tables on which to eat 

 their food. Other birds also use such nests as 

 places to feed on, and they may often be seen 

 sitting down eating berries which they have carried 

 to them. 



Like the Blackbird, the Thrush seems to be very 

 fond of building on the ground among thick vege- 

 tation ; numbers make their nests in clumps of 

 rhubarb, the large leaves offering convenient shelter. 

 The song of the Thrush, if delivered at night, when 

 all other birds are silent, would, I believe, be con- 

 sidered equal, or about equal, to the Nightingale's. 

 An individual bird will at times sing very much 

 better than others, and the best are certainly very 

 fine. I remember one that used to come and perch 

 on an elm branch near my home day after day 

 during one spring ; and this singer had such a 

 splendid voice that many people asked me what 

 bird that was which sang so beautifully, those who 

 were not acquainted with the Nightingale's song 

 being quite convinced that this was one of that 

 species. All Thrushes when giving their song seem 

 to have a certain note that they prefer, and thus 

 repeat it more often than other notes. I have even 

 heard them singing between the claps of thunder 

 during a violent storm. During bright days in the 



