PERCHING BIRDS. 103 



his favourite perch " on the topmost twig that 

 looks up at the sky," and pours forth his glad 

 song of deliverance. 



The SONG, (or garden) THRUSH, is a well known 

 and general favourite. His song is by many con- 

 sidered one of the finest of all the melodies of the 

 grove, and it is continued through almost every 

 month of the year. This bird has also many re- 

 commendations in his elegant shape, sprightly 

 actions, and engaging ways. Every one is fami- 

 liar with the manners of the thrush, and will 

 recognise a life-like picture of him in the following 

 description : " Grubs and worms are the principal 

 food of nestling thrushes, quantities of which they 

 may be seen collecting on lawns, particularly after 

 showers have moistened the earth ; and to an 

 observer nothing can be more interesting than the 

 way they and their associates, the blackbirds, set 

 about it. 



" Watch an old thrush pounce down on a lawn 

 moistened with dew or rain. At first he stands 

 motionless, apparently thinking of nothing at all ; 

 his eye vacant, or with an unmeaning gaze. 

 Suddenly, he cocks his ear on one side, makes a 

 glancing sort of dart with his head and neck, 

 gives, perhaps, one or two hops, and then stops, 

 again listening attentively, and his eye glistening 

 with animation. His beak almost touches the 



