THE THRUSH— THE FIELDFARE, &c. 57 



THE THRUSH 



Is extensively diffused, and admits of not less than one hun- 

 dred and thirty different species ; of which the most remarkable, 

 at least in England, are the missel-thrush, the throstle, or song- 

 thrush, the fieldfare, the red-wing, and the black-bird. 



The missel and the throstle differ chiefly in size. The former, 

 indeed, is the largest of the genus ; being about eleven inches 

 in length, and of the weight of nearly five ounces. The latter 

 is considerably less, and the speckles on its breast are of smaller 

 dimensions, and more intimately blended. 



The thrush is of a dusky brown on the body and wings, and 

 the speckled plumage of its throat is a mixture of brown and 

 yellow. It is one of the sweetest songsters of the groves ; and 

 its deep-toned notes are equally remarkable for their variety, 

 long continuance, and melodious inflection. It pours its de- 

 lightful strains from the top of some high tree ; but descends to 

 the lowly bush, or the hawthorn hedge, to construct its nest. 



THE FIELDFARE 



Is said to be one of the musical race in some countries: in 

 England, however, it does not exhibit much of its melody ; but 

 its flesh affords a delicious article for the table. It is larger 

 than the common thrush, but less than the missel : they fly in 

 numerous flocks, and afford much diversion during the winter 

 season. The fieldfare is a migrating bird, spending the summer 

 season in the northern countries of Europe, and returning to 

 Great Britain in the autumn. 



THE RED-WING 



Is somewhat smaller than the common thrush, from which it 

 is distinguished by a white streak over the eye, and the reddish 

 colour of the under part of its wings ; but pretty much resembles 

 it in the rest of its plumage. This, like the fieldfare, is migra- 

 tory ; and both of them appear and depart at the same time. It 

 is said, that in Sweden the red-wing sings delightfully, but we 

 cannot bear witness to its performances in this respect. Its flesh 

 is less esteemed than that of the fieldfare. 



THE BLACK-BIRD 



Is universally known in England for its deep-toned melody 

 and the variety of its sonorous inflections. This bird, indeed 

 when heard at a proper distance, excels, perhaps, any of the in 

 habitants of the groves, unless the nightingale be admitted as ai 

 exception. The black-bird may be taught to whistle any tune, 

 and even to imitate the human voice. 



