THRUSH. 183 



frequenting the shrubs on the green in our garden. From 

 the slenderness of their forms, and the freshness of their 

 plumage, we pronounced them to be birds of the preceding 

 summer. There was an association and friendship between 

 them that called our attention to their actions. One of them 

 seemed ailing, or feeble from some bodily accident; for though 

 it hopped about, yet it appeared unable to obtain sufficiency 

 of food. Its companion, an active sprightly bird, would fre- 

 quently bring it worms or snails, when they mutually partook 

 of the banquet; and the ailing bird would wait patiently, 

 understand the actions, expect the assistance of the other, 

 and advance from its asylum upon its approach. This 

 procedure was witnessed some days; but after a time we 

 missed the fostered bird, which probably died, or by reason 

 of its weakness, met with some fatal accident.' 



The Thrush is a tameable bird, and, if encouraged, in hard 

 weather will come close to the window for food. He is, 

 however, not deficient in cunning, and will often baffle a 

 pursuer by lying close in the bottom of a hedge, until the 

 danger has past, when he will fly off in the opposite direction, 

 with a loud chattering noise. Thrushes are good birds to 

 eat, and are often sold in the markets with their kindred 

 species. They have not unfrequently been known to take 

 refuge in houses when pursued by Hawks. 



Their flight, which is capable of being prolonged to a great 

 distance, is rapid, performed in moderate curves, with quick 

 flaps, intermitted at intervals, often at considerable elevation, 

 but generally rather low. On the ground, in quest of food, 

 they droop the wings a little, and with the tail nearly 

 horizontal, raise the head askance; if any thing in the shape 

 of food is descried, they move quickly to it, their general 

 mode of progression being by a series of leaps. If in a listless 

 mood, the tail and wings are drooped, the neck drawn in, and 

 the feathers ruffled out: in this attitude they may often be 

 seen perched on a stone, , or branch of a tree or hedge. They 

 settle very suddenly. 



Their food consists of snails, insects, worms, caterpillars, 

 and fruits; and in the winter berries and seeds of different 

 kinds contribute to their sustenance. The former they break 

 the hard shells of by hammering them with their bills against 

 some accustomed stone, as on a Druidical cromlech, deriving, 

 as they do, their origin from the ancient British times, before 



