1-)S CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



"From the woods 



Came voices of the well-contented doves. 

 The Lark could scarce get out his note for joy, 

 But shook his song together as he nearecl 

 His happy home, the ground. To left and right 

 The Cuckoo told his name to all the hills ; 

 The mellow Ousel fluted in the elm ; 

 The Redcap whistled; and the Nightingale 

 Sang loud, as though he were the bird of day." 



Every one who has listened to the Song Thrush will agree with the poet's idea, 

 that the song is mellow and its tones flute-like. There are many kinds of birds one 

 may hear, and afterward feel that the song was incomplete, something was needed 

 to make it perfect ; but listen to the Thrush, and, ere he has finished, you are im- 

 pelled to exclaim, What perfectness ! It is a most satisfactory performance ; and 

 the only thing one can desire is. that the bird repeat, and repeat again, his inspirit- 

 ing, restful, heaven- bestowed melody. 



"There is a blithe, bluff heartiness," writes Swaysland, "about the song of 

 the Thrush, that carries with it a certain feeling of rusticity, which makes it pecul- 

 iarly attractive in a town, bringing, as it does so forcibly, remembrances of those 

 green fields and shady hedgerows where, beside some rippling stream, he builds 

 his nest." 



The flight of the Song Thrush is remarkable for its swiftness and grace ; and the 

 birds are very adroit in hopping over the surface of the ground, or climbing about 

 the trees, aided by their wings. They are capable of springing with remarkable 

 facility to a distant branch. Their sight is so keen as to enable them to detect the 

 smallest insect at a great distance ; and their sense of hearing so delicate as to warn 

 them of the approach of danger long before it has been perceived by other inhabit- 

 ants of their native woods, who at once seek safe shelter when they hear the warning 

 cry of their more acute and vigilant companions. To this superior sagacity is, no 

 doubt, attributable the eager desire exhibited by Thrushes to investigate any new or 

 striking object : they, however, take good care to keep at a safe and respectful 

 distance, even while carrying on their examination with the most eager attention. 

 While they are such active birds, unlike most birds they do not accompany their 

 notes with any description of movement or gesticulation, but sit perfectly quiet and 

 almost motionless during the whole song. One male has no sooner perched himself 

 on a conspicuous branch, and commenced singing, than he is answered by all those 

 in the neighborhood ; as they hurry to the spot to join in the performance, and share 

 the admiration they evidently expect it will excite. 



When caged, he is deservedly one of the greatest favorites, especially with the 

 foreign bird-fanciers, his beautiful song bringing to mind the scenes and sounds of 

 the old-country wildwoods. The first inhabitant of a bird-shop which a freshly 

 arrived English or Irish emigrant is sure to seek is his favorite Song Thrush, or 

 Mavis as he is familiarly called. The traveller will relate new and fabulous stories 

 of his powers of song, and the cage tenanted by one of his favorites is certain to 

 receive a dainty from his hands. 



It oftentimes is possible in the crowded tenement districts of a large city to sec ;i 

 Song Thrush hanging before the window, night and day, in all sorts of weather, the 



