Its thick coating of feathers protects it both from 
the water and the cold. It is common throughout 
Northern and Central Europe and Asia. 
In the Thrushes (7zzdus) the nostrils do not 
close as in the Dipper; the wings and tail are longer; 
and the borders of the eyelids and the corners of 
the beak become yellow in the pairing-season. 
The Thrushes are distinguished from all the 
other singing birds by their legs beiag covered with 
a horny plate before and behind. The beak is 
moderately long, and ends in a curved point. The 
feet and toes are large. Their song is strong and 
melodious. 
Fig. f. The Song Thrush 
(Turdus musicus) is olive-brown 
above, and yellowish white be- 
neath, with brown spots. It 
feeds on insects and_ berries, 
and makes its nest in 
bushes. It is a very common 
bird, and is seen throughout 
(Plate XII) 
Fig. a. The Missel Thrush (Zerdas visctvorus) 
is very like the last species, but larger. It is found 
in all parts of Europe, and prefers pine forests. — It 
is very voracious, feeding on snails, worms, insects 
and berries, especially those of the mistletoe, from 
which it derives its name. In some countries it is 
esteemed as a dainty, as is also the next species. 
Fig. b. The Fieldfare (Zurdus pilaris) is a 
winter visitor with us. It is abundant in the more 
northern parts of Europe, where it breeds. It is 
very fond of the berries of the juniper. 
Fig. c. The Ring Ouzel (Zurdus torguatus) is 
one of the larger thrushes. Its plumage is black, 
and its feathers are bordered with whitish. On the 
upper part of the breast is a broad crescent-shaped 
white band. It is a very shy and retiring bird, and 
is found in wooded and mountainous districts in many 
parts of Europe. Its song is not remarkable. 
Fig. d. The Blue Thrush (Zurdus cyaneus) 
inhabits the mountains of Southern Europe. The 
male is dark slate-blue, suffused with bright sky-blue, 
and the wings and tail-feathers are black, bordered 
with blue. 
Fig. e. The Blackbird (Taurdus merula) is one 
of our commonest English birds. The male is black, 
with a yellow beak, and the female is dark brown. 
It is found throughout Europe, and lives in woods 
and thickets; and like most other thrushes, comes 
close to houses, and is frequently seen in gardens, 
even close to large towns. It begins to sing in 
March, but remains with us throughout the year. 
Fig..f. The Bohemian Wax-wing (Azzpelis 
garrula) has a short beak, compressed from above 
downwards, and strongly toothed. The plumage 
is soft and silky and the legs are short and strong. 
This bird is remarkable for the curious red sealing- 
wax-like appendages on some of the wing-feathers, 
and occasionally in the tail also. It makes its nest 
in the dark pine-forests of the extreme North of 
Europe, and only migrates to more temperate climates 
in very severe winters. It is a harmless indolent bird, 
and feeds on insects and berries. 
(Plate XVII.) 
The Nightingales hop on the ground, moving 
their tail up and down. The legs are rather long, 
giving the birds an upright posture, and the straight 
slender beak has exposed nostrils. They are small 

EAE 
Egg of Song Trush, 
the year. 



10 
and active birds, with slender beaks, and generally 
rather uniform plumage, though they are the most 
charming songsters among our native birds. They 
live on insects, seeds and berries. Most of them 
are true birds of passage, and only visit us during 
the summer months 
Fig. a. The Nightingale (Daulias luscinia) is 
brown above, with a reddish lustre, and beneath pale 
grey and dirty white; it ts about the size of a 
sparrow. Its northern range in Europe extends to 
Central Sweden; in England it is most frequently 
met with in woods and gardens in the Eastern and 
Southern counties. 
Fig. b. The Blue-Throated Warbler (Cyane- 
cula suecica) is generally found among low brush- 
wood near water. Its colour and voice are equally 
charming. It appears in Central Europe in April, 
hatches four or five eggs in an artistically constructed 
nest, and migrates to the south in August or September. 
(Plate XVIIL.) 
Fig. a. The Robin (4rythica rubecula) has an 
olive-brown tail and wings, and a red breast. Its song 
is very melodious, but has a somewhat melancholy 
tone, especially in the evening, when the other birds 
are silent. It 1s found in all parts of Europe. 
The Warblers (Sy/vza) are distinguished from 
the Nightingales by their short strong legs, rather 
large beak, and more stooping posture. They glide 
actively among the bushes, but are awkward in their 
movements on the ground. 
(Piate XVII.) 
Fig. c. The Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) is 
another melodious songster, which, 
like the Nightingale, exhibits nothing 
striking in its colours. It is dark 
grey above, and much paler below. 
The crown of the head is black in 
the male, and brown in the female. Egg of Blackcap. 
Fig. d. The White-Throat (Sy/vza cinerea) is 
brownish grey above, and dirty yellowish or reddish 
white beneath. It is a slender, lively and industrious 
little bird, which is found throughout Europe. 
Fig. e. The Garden Warbler (Sylvia hortensts) 
is olive-grey above, and dirty yellowish-white beneath, 
and is common in the warmer and temperate parts 
of Europe, where it is common in gardens, and 
makes itself useful by destroying insects. Its song 
is the most charming of any bird of the genus. 
Fig. f. The Snow Whitethroat (Sy/vza curruca) 
much resembles the last species, but is smaller. It 
inhabits Central Europe in summer, where it is seen 
hopping about in gardens and among bushes. 
(Plate XVIII.) 
Fig. d. The Redstart (Poentcura ruticilla) is 
a brightly-coloured, active bird. The back is ashy- 
grey, the throat black, the breast and tail rusty-red, 
and the wings brown. It enlivens the fields and 
gardens with its cheerful song throughout the summer. 
(Plate XVII.) 
The species uf //ypolazs have a long pointed 
head, and slender beak and feet. They hop about 
trees, and move clumsily on the ground. 
Fig. g. The Icterine Warbler (/7ypolats zcterina) 
is greenish grey above, and pale sulphur-yellow be- 
neath. It is found in Central Europe in bushy 
gardens and small woods, and is met with as far 
north as Central Sweden. It has a varied and me- 
lodious song. 


