NATURAL HISTORY. 259 



Musicus (Lat. musical), the Song-Thrush, 



commenced, and may often be seen conspicuously placed in a 

 bush, sometime before the leaves have begun to sprout. Jn 

 order to defend the callow young from the cold winds of the 

 season when they are hatched, the nest is more substantial 

 than birds are accustomed to build, being thickly plastered 

 within with a coating of mud, effectually keeping out the 

 chilling blasts. Were it only for its singing powers, the 

 Thrush would deserve protection ; but the services it renders 

 to the gardener in devouring insects, snails, &c., entitle it to 

 a double share of regard. 



It is very amusing to watch the thrush listening for the 

 sound of the earth-worm working his way through the ground, 

 or the gnawing teeth of the cockchaffer grub. The grub he 

 unearths and devours without further ceremony, but he knows 

 that if he is not cautious, the earth-worm will withdraw itself 

 out of his reach. He therefore gives several hops near the 

 worm, which, fancying that it hears its enemy the mole pur- 

 suing it, comes to the surface, and is instantly seized in triumph 

 by the crafty thrush. 



It clears the shells from snails by beating them against a 

 stone, and when it has found a convenient place for that pur- 



