16 OUR NA.TIVE SONGSTERS. 



one thrush commenced the ablution, than the rest 

 follow, quarrelling among themselves if the stream 

 is narrow, or so filled up with water-plants as not 

 to afford space for the accommodation of the 

 whole party. 



Our song-thrush inhabits every country in 

 Europe, frequenting gardens and woods near 

 streams or meadows. It is the Petite Grive of 

 the French : tlie Tordo Bottaccio of the Italians ; 

 and the Aderyn tronfraith of the ancient Britisli. 

 Clare alludes to it by the name of ^lavis. 



" The ^lavis Thnish with \\M delight, 



Upon the orchard's dripping tree, 

 Mutters, to see the day so bright, 



Fragments of young Hope's poesy ; 

 And oft Dame stops her buzzing wheel, 



To hear the Robin's note once more. 

 Who tootles while he pecks his meal, 



From sweet-briar hips behind the door." 



Mr. AVatorton considers that the bird referred 

 to by David in the 102d Psalm, was a species of 

 thrush. The comparison is familiar to us all, in 

 which the Psalmist, after describing by various 

 poetic and touching images the depth of his sor- 

 row and loneliness, added, " I watch, and am as a 



