BRItiSH SONG-BIRDS. 47 



the setting sun ; and again, at daybreak, saluting, 

 with gi-ateful warblings, that rising luminary, be- 

 ginning so early as three o'clock; and we have al- 

 jso heard them chaunting delightfully ^between ten 

 land eleven at night. In the middle of the day, 

 I when the sun is bright, and the air hot, they are 

 generally mute, unless in cool situations among 

 trees, whose thick foliage throws a glimmering 

 light, " most like a lovely shade." In such a si- 

 tuation, and the ground level, in a fine calm sum- 

 mer day, their notes may be heard breaking the 

 stillness, though the birds are more than a mile 

 distant. These bii'ds, when young, are very deli- 

 cate, and requii'e both care and attention to rear 

 them ; but, when reared from the nest, they make 

 the best song-birds, and will sing nine months in 

 the year. They are more tame, and even more 

 fiealthy, than taught birds. The last, in a state of 

 confinement, are often sullen, shy, and sing little, 

 or do not let out their voice if overlooked; and 

 thus deprives the master of much pleasing inter- 

 course with his little proteges. Old birds and 

 branchers are taken with nets, traps, &c. ; but, as 

 the thrush is not a rare bird, and the nest easily 

 found, and, particularly, as the young turn out 

 better songsters, — -for these reasons we would give 



