AVES— THRUSH. 495 



THE THROSTLE, OR LONG THRUSHi 



Is about eleven inches in length. The bill is dusky, the base of the lower 

 bill yellow; the eyes are hazel; the head, back, and lesser coverts of the 

 wings are of a deep olive brov/n, the latter tipped with white; the lower 

 part of the back and rump are tinged with yellow ; the cheeks are of a yel- 

 lowish white, spotted with brown, as are also the breast and belly, which 

 are marked with larger spots of a dark brown color ; the quills are brown 

 with pale edges ; the tail feathers the same, the three outermost tipped with 

 white ; the legs are yellow ; the claws black. 



It begins to sing very early, often on the turn of the year, in blowing, 

 showery weather, whence in soni'e places it is called the storm cock, and its 

 song is heard daring nine months. Its note of anger is very loud and harsh, 

 between a chatter and a shriek, which accounts for some of its names. Its 

 usual strain, however, is among the sweetest of the grove, and is often kept 

 up for hours without cessation. When brought up from the nest with the 

 woodlark or the nightingale, it will adopt their song.' It subsists on various 

 sorts of berries, and likewise on caterpillars and several kinds of insects, 

 with which it also feeds its young. 



This bird is found in various parts of Europe, and is said to be migratory 

 in some places, but continues in England the whole year, and frequently has 

 two broods. It builds in woods or orchards, and not seldom in thick hedges 

 near the ground. Fine and soft moss, interwoven with dried grass or hay, 

 forms the outside of the nest, and the inside is curiously plastered with cow 

 dung. In some districts of Poland, thrushes are caught in such numbers 

 that the inhabitants export them in ship loads. 



THE THRASHER, OR BROWN THRUSH. 2 



It is the largest of all the American thrushes, and is a well known and 

 distinguished songster, and from the tops of hedge-rows, apple or cherry trees, 

 he salutes the opening morning with his charming song, which is loud, 

 emphatical, and full of variety. At that serene hour, you may plainly dis- 

 tinguish his voice at half a mile's distance. These notes are not imitative, 

 but solely his own. Early in May, he builds his nest, choosing a thorn-bush, 

 low cedar, thicket of briers, or cluster of vines for his situation. It is con- 

 structed of small sticks, dry leaves, and fine fibrous roots. He often attacks 

 the black snake in defence of his young, and with success, as his bill is strong 

 and powerful. His food consists of worms, caterpillars, beetles, and berries. 



1 Turdiis musicus, Lin. * Tardus rufus, Lin. 



