208 



which are four or five, and are white speckled 

 with brown. 



It is not in the power of language to convey 

 an idea of the song of the thenca, which has 

 the sound of a great number of birds whose 

 notes are in accord ; it also possesses the property 

 of imitating the note of any other bird^ and its 

 strain is generally much louder and more har- 

 monious than that of the nightingale ; it is a gay 

 and active birdj always in motion^ and even while 

 singing continues hopping from one bough to 

 another. For this reason it will not bear con- 

 finementj and if shut up in a cage soon dies. It 

 is usually to be met with near country-houses, 

 and feeds upon almost any thing, but appears to 

 have a decided preference for flies and tallow. 



The cureu (turdus cureus) appears to be of a 

 species between the thrush and the black-bird ; 

 to the latter of Avhich it has some resemblance^, 

 and is of the same size. The bill is a little an- 

 gular and bent towards the point, the nostrils are 

 covered with a thin membrane, and the corners 

 of the mouth furnished with hairs ; the feet and 

 position of the toes are like those of the black- 

 bird, and its tail is cuneiform and about five 

 inches long : the whole plumage is of a glossy 

 black, of this colour are also the eyes, bill, feet, 

 and even the flesh and bones. 



This bird is highly prized for the melody and 



