AVES—THRUSH. 495 
THE THROSTLE, OR LONG THRUSH! 
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 brown, 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 some places it is called the storm cock, and its 
song is heard during 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. 
Te TE RAS He ROR Boao WN TT HR SUS eo 
Ir is the largest of all the American thrushes, and isa 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 m 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, 
ee halen Viel ele so iy iael eile stagione sinter eS ietyeet Aie ee eee es eee mascara 
1 Turdus musicus, Lys. 2 Turdus rufus, Lin. 
