124 TURDIN^E. TURDUS. 



muscles distinct; intestine of moderate length ; coeca very 

 small, cylindrical. Tarsus moderate or rather long, com- 

 pressed, with seven scutella ; toes rather strong, com- 

 pressed ; the first stronger, the lateral nearly equal, the 

 third and fourth united at the base ; claws rather long, 

 arched, compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage 

 ordinary, rather blended, the feathers rounded ; short 

 bristles ; wings of moderate length, broad, rounded ; the 

 first quill very small, the third and fourth longest ; tail 

 moderate or long. 



The Turdinse, of which species occur in all countries, 

 feed on insects, worms, and soft fruits, for which they 

 search the open pastures, generally repose in the thickets 

 and woods, have a moderately rapid, somewhat undulated 

 flight, and on the ground advance by leaping. The nests 

 are cup-shaped, and neatly constructed ; the eggs five or 

 six. Many of the species are remarkable for their su- 

 periority of song. 



GENUS XXXVII. TURDUS. THRUSH. 



Bill of moderate length, rather slender, straight, compress- 

 ed ; upper mandible with the ridge rather narrow, the dorsal 

 line slightly arched, the sides convex, the edges sharp, with 

 an obscure notch close to the small, rather obtuse tip ; lower 

 mandible with the angle moderate, the dorsal line convex, 

 the tip rather acute ; gape-line nearly straight. Mouth ra- 

 ther narrow ; upper mandible internally narrow, with a me- 

 dial prominent line ; tongue sagittate and papillate at the 

 base, tapering, slender, concave above, thin-edged, bristled, 

 with the point slit ; oesophagus rather narrow, uniform ; sto- 

 mach broadly oblong, compressed, its muscular coat rather 

 thick, with distinct muscles, the epithelium dense, longitu- 

 dinally rugous ; intestine of moderate length and width ; coe- 

 ca very small, cylindrical. Nostrils elliptical, direct, in the 

 lower and fore part of the nasal membrane, which is feather- 

 ed. Eyes of moderate size, eyelids feathered. Aperture of 

 ear rather large, roundish. Head oblong, of moderate size ; 



