THE THRUSH. 15 



probably, died, or by reason of its weakness met 

 with some fatal accident." 



The thrush is very fond of bathing, and when 

 the morning sun gilds the clear rivulet, the bird 

 goes down to the water, luxuriating in its 

 delights ; and often several wild thrushes may be 

 seen thus conuneneing the day in company. 

 Bechstein remarks that it is at the borders of 

 streams that the fowlers catch them most readily, 

 In'some cases they employ a tame bird, which runs 

 and flutters on the banks of the water, and serves 

 as a decoy to the wild thrushes. He observes 

 that the fowlers should be in no haste to take 

 them, for that the thrushes like to bathe to- 

 gether to the number of ten or twelve at once; 

 and no sooner has a thrush found a bath to its 

 liking, than it Wgins the call which assembles its 

 companions. It would seem that the sight of the 

 bath gives the bird great joy, for it utters the cry of 

 '' 8ik, sik, sik, siki, tsac tsac tscac," which is im- 

 mediately responded to by many voices of gladness. 

 The thriLshes, however, seem to be very cautious 

 in their proceedings, for they seldom venture into 

 the water until the more courageous robin red- 

 breast has already tried it ; though no sooner has 



