2 SONG THUUSH OR THROSTLE. 



A>vr.--F?hruary or -March onwards. Two broods. 



Silse. In lork of some tree, on lateral branch ; seldom in 

 bushes, except sometimes in shrubberies. 



Materials. Small twigs, roots, dry grass, and moss, firmly 

 compacted with mud, lined with dry grass and rootlets. Rather 

 bulky and often untidy. 



Eggs. Four to five. Pale greenish blue, spotted and 

 blotched with rich ruddy brown and pearl-grey or violet under- 

 markings. Variable. 



SONG THRUSH OB THROSTLE (Turdus musicus). 



Partially migrant. Abundant throughout Great Britain ; 

 rarer towards the North. 



Haunts. Pleasure-grounds, gardens, orchards, woods, and 

 well-cultivated districts. 



Plumage. Upper parts olive-brown ; wing-coverts tipped 

 with buff, forming two bars ; under parts buffish white well 

 spotted with dark fan- or wedge-shaped markings. Bill dark 

 brown. Legs pale brown. Length 9 in. Female rather 

 smaller. Young, upper parts mottled with buff. 



Language. Song, loud and inspiriting, though rather tend- 

 ing towards monotony as the same phrase is frequently prac- 

 tised over and over again. A persistent singer often from 

 October right through winter (on mild days) to June. Song 

 may be syllabised thus : " How d'ye do ; bo-peep ; bo-peep ; 

 Judy; Judy; pretty Dick," &c., according to the listener's 

 fancy and imagination. Call-note, "chick." When alarmed 

 it utters loud chirps and screams. 



Habits. It takes incredibly long hops or straight quick 

 runs. When searching for worms it stands quite still with its 

 head slightly on one side, then suddenly pitches upon some 

 unwary worm and pulls it forcibly from its hole. It smashes 

 snail shells against stones. It is not easily flushed from its 

 nest. 



Food. Insects, slugs, snails, and earthworms. Soft fruits 

 in season. In winter seeds, berries, and grain. 



Nest. February or March onwards. Two or three broods. 



Site. In forks of trees, in centre of thick bushes, non-deci- 

 duous trees often favoured, among ivy on wall or tree, in pile 

 of faggots, &c. 



Materials. Twigs, dry grass, roots, and moss. Internally 

 neatly plastered, like a small bowl, with mud, cow dung, and 

 decaying wood fibres. 



Eggs. Four to six. Greenish blue, spotted with deep brown 

 and black ; spottings variable ; sometimes unspotted. 



