THRUSHES. 207 



deprived them of their usual supply, thousands have 

 been known to perish on the coast, unahle, through 

 weakness, to take flight for a more southern climate. 

 In January, 1815, when a heavy fall of snow fell on 

 the 19th, and remained one deep white mantle over 

 the face of the country till the 29th, during which 

 time the thermometer, even at noon, rarely rose 

 above the freezing-point, we recollect finding dead 

 Redwings in greater numbers than any other birds. 

 They are naturally remarkably shy, but hunger soon 

 makes them tame, as many a Christmas school boy 

 knows ; when, if the weather is mild, he in vain 

 endeavours to get a shot at a chattering party, 

 temptingly perched on a naked bough; whereas, 

 should a severe frost set in, they seem to invite his 

 approach, and allow him to take a steady aim within 

 a few yards. Our common Song-Thrush, however, 

 is a more social bird, and, if unmolested, will build 

 its nest frequently almost within sight of our windows. 

 Instances have indeed occurred of still greater con- 

 fidence. Thus, a short time ago, in Scotland, some 

 carpenters, working in a shed adjacent to the house, 

 observed a Thrush flying in and out, which induced 

 them to direct their attention to the cause, when, to 

 their surprise, they found a nest commenced amongst 

 the teeth of a harrow, which, with some other 

 farming tools and implements, were placed upon the 

 joists of the shed, just over their heads. The car- 

 penters had arrived soon after six o'clock ; and at 

 seven, when they found the nest, it was in a great 

 state of forwardness, and had evidently been the 

 morning's work of a pair of these indefatigable birds. 

 Their activity throughout the day was incessant, and 



