IN GARDEN, PARK, AND SHRUB BER\. 29 



gray. The eggs of this bird are subject to con- 

 siderable variation, and may occasionally be found 

 with scarcely any markings at all. The plaintive 

 piping call-note of the male during the breeding 

 season will be remarked. Blackbirds are the 

 least gregarious of the Thrushes, and never flock, 

 even in winter. 



Our second best known species is the SONG widely 



T /^- 7 \ fin distributed. 



1 HRUSH (1 urdus musicus). What visions of 

 bloom-flecked fruit-trees and springtime gladsome- 

 ness, of blue eggs and constant song, are awakened 

 at the sound of its name ! Verily I think, after 

 all, our homely birds are the most interesting 

 happy associations linger round them unknown to 

 shyer and rarer species ! The Song Thrush is 

 the first musician of the year, and the very earliest 

 days of a changing season are rendered sweet by 

 his charming song. Who does not know the 

 brown bird with the thickly spotted tawny breast, 

 sitting up there in the leafless trees singing his 

 oft-repeated notes ? No other bird is so careful 

 to repeat each variation, trying note by note over 

 and over again, as if loth to part with each sweet 

 sound. Wherever we may find the Blackbird we 

 may find the Song Thrush too; although in winter 

 a marked migration of this bird takes place, and 

 sometimes not one will be seen during the months 

 of November and December. In its food and 

 habits it also closely resembles its sable congener, 

 although it is not so much of a berry or a fruit 

 eater. Its nesting season begins even earlier 

 than that of the Blackbird, and its finished home 

 may be found by the first week in April. Pre- 

 cisely similar situations are sought, and the nest 

 to a certain point closely resembles that of the 



