THE SINGING BIRDS. 205 



The THRUSHES (Turdi) constitute a very numerous family, whose various members are 

 spread over the whole surface of our globe. These birds closely resemble each other in form and 

 habits, although they differ considerably in size ; for whilst some have the dimensions of a Pigeon, 

 the smaller species are no larger than the Warblers we have just described. All have more or less 

 slenderly-formed bodies ; the beak is almost straight, and of moderate length, slightly curved along 

 the culmen of the upper mandible, and incised at its tip ; the tarsus is slender, and, like the toes, of 

 medium size ; the claws, on the contrary, are large. The wings, in which the third and fourth quills 

 exceed the rest in length, are long and pointed; the tail is generally moderately long, and either 

 quite straight, or slightly rounded at its extremity. The plumage is soft, somewhat lax, and very 

 various in its coloration ; the sexes are usually similar in appearance, and the young are adomed 

 with spots. 



Our space forbids our entering into a particular account of all the European Thrushes, and we 

 can therefore only describe a few of those most commonly known. Of the eighty-one species with 

 which we are acquainted, two inhabit the northern tracts of our globe, whilst fifteen are met with in 

 India and the adjacent countries. There are nine in Africa, five in Australia, and twenty-seven in 

 South America. Of these, the Red-winged Thrush (Turdus fuscatus), the Red-throated Thrush 

 {Tardus ruficollis), the Pale Thrush (Turdus pallms), the Siberian Thrush (Turdus Sibericus), 

 the Wandering Thrush (Turdus migratorius), the Hermit Thrush (Turdus solitarius), Wilson's 

 Thrush (Turdus Wilsoni), Swainson's Thrush (Turdus Swainsoni), Dwarf Thrush (Turdus 

 minor), the Soft-feathered Thrush (Turdus mollissimus), the Black-throated Thrush (Turdus 

 alrogularis), and the Ground Thrush (Turdus varius) are all met with in Europe ; the four 

 first-mentioned of these thirteen species come from Siberia, the next in order from North America, 

 the two last but one from Southern Asia, and the Ground Thrush (Turdus varius) from Australia. 

 The members of this family inhabit every variety of climate, and make their home indifferently within 

 the depths of tropical forests, or under the shelter of the pines and firs that frequently skirt the 

 glaciers of mountain ranges, amidst the rich woodland pastures that adorn highly-cultivated tracts, or 

 upon the sparsely scattered shrubs that draw their scanty means of existence from the burning sands 

 or arid soil of vast steppes. Some few species remain during the entire year within the limits of 

 their native lands, while by far the greater number exhibit such a propensity for wandering about 

 to see the world as is almost without a parallel in the whole feathered creation. All are eminently 

 endowed, and lively and active in their disposition ; their flight is remarkably swift, but varies 

 considerably in the different species ; that of the Song, Red, and Ring Thrushes being the swiftest 

 and most graceful, whilst that of the Missel and Black Thrushes is very feeble, owing to the 

 comparative shortness of their pinions. All, however, are equally adroit in hopping over the surface 

 of the ground, or climbing amid the trees, and they are all capable of springing with remarkable 

 facility, aided by their wings, to a distant branch. Their sight is so keen as to enable them to 

 detect the smallest insect at a great distance ; and their sense of hearing so delicate as to warn them 

 of the approach of danger long before it has been perceived by the other inhabitants of their native 

 woods, who at once seek safe shelter when they hear the warning cry of their more acute and 

 vigilant companions. To this superior sagacity is no doubt attributable the eager desire exhibited 

 by Thrushes to investigate any new or striking object : they, however, take good care to keep at a 

 safe and respectful distance, even while carrying on their examination with the most eager attention. 

 Although extremely quarrelsome— we might almost say vicious — in temperament, the members of this 

 family are eminently social, and constantly assemble in large parties, comprising not only those of 

 their own race, but a variety of other birds. Towards man they appear to feel but little attraction, 

 and are quite acute enough readily to distinguish friends from enemies. As regards their vocal 



