THE TIIHUSH. 207 



Fulness of his note Nests. 



the lower part lighter, and spotted. Their length 

 varies in the different species, from eight to ele- 

 ven inches. 



The song-thrush, or throstle, is distinguished 

 among the singing birds, by the clearness and 

 fulness of his note ; his song, which charms us 

 not only with its sweetness, but likewise with its 

 variety, begins early in the spring, and continues 

 during great part of the summer. 



This species, though not considered as migra- 

 tory with us, has, however, been observed in 

 greater numbers, in some places, during the 

 spring and summer, where not one was to be 

 seen in the winter. From this circumstance it 

 has been supposed that they either shift their 

 quarters entirely, or take shelter in the more re- 

 tired parts of the woods. That the throstle is 

 migratory in France, and other parts of the con- 

 tinent, we are assured by that accurate observer 

 of nature, M. Buftbn, who says, that these birds 

 appear in Burgundy about the season of the 

 vintage, and leave that country again at the com- 

 mencement of winter. 



The thrush builds in woods or orchards, and 

 sometimes in a thick hedge, near the ground. 

 The outside of the nest consists of a fine soft 

 green moss, interwoven with dead grass, hay, &c. 

 The inside is very curiously plastered with cow- 

 dung, not daubed as some imagine, but with 

 better skill than many of our plasterers could do 

 the same work.. She lays her eggs upon the 



