12 OUR ^'ATIYE SOXGSTERS. 



August, when tliey explore hedge-rows, orchards, 

 and gardens, with great vigilance. At this season, 

 he remarks that they do not usually break the 

 shell in pieces, but peck a hole through the last 

 and larger coil. In summer, as well as during 

 winter, numerous pieces of snail-shell may be 

 found strewed about in gardens, the remnants of 

 the thrushes' meals. The song-thrush, too, has 

 been seen to break the shell against a barrow, 

 when a large stone was not quite near. It will 

 also feed on the earthworm, and it is amusing to 

 watch a number of these birds, hopping about 

 singly, popping the head foi-w^ard with the motion 

 peculiar to them of three jumps, and seizing their 

 prey, which they swallow whole. They are also 

 very partial to the beautiful scarlet ben-ies that, 

 during autumm, cluster on the boughs of the 

 mountain-ash. 



The thrush remains with us all the year, receiv- 

 ing great accessions at the a?itumnal season, from 

 numbers which come from the north, with the 

 fieldfares and redwings. They do not fly in 

 flocks, but are generally found near together. 

 Even in winter their sweet songs may be heard ; 

 and a throstle has been heard to sing on Christmas- 



