TURDID.E. 3 



White individuals have been seen (J. C. B., Xat. Hist. S. Devon, p. 302), 

 and a buff-coloured specimen was killed near Plymouth, October 5th, 1875 

 (J. G., Zool. 1875, p. 4716). 



Song- Thrush. Tardus musicus, Linn. 



[Grey Drush, Grey-bixd, Trossel, Throstle, Thirstle : Dev.'] 



Resident and generally distributed. Breeds. 



It is usually common, but great numbers perish in cold and snowy 

 winters, such as those of 1880-81 and 1890-91, and then for some years 

 it continues comparatively scarce. There is a considerable immigration 

 in September, when many appear near the sea-coast, and at that time 

 Thrushes are also plentiful in every turnip-field, where, under the shade 

 of the broad leaves, they have plenty of food, and are serviceable to the 

 farmer in clearing off insect-pests and slugs. These migratory Thrushes 

 have come both from the continent and from the northern parts of the 

 kingdom, and as they leave us are replaced by other arrivals, so that the 

 species continues in some abundance throughout the winter, and finding- 

 sufficient maintenance, even in severe weather, is seldom driven to such 

 straits as the unfortunate Redwings and Fieldfares, whose habits are so 

 different. 



The Song-Thrush may well be claimed as the " Queen of Song " in the 

 West Country, where the capricious Nightingale is but seldom heard ; and 

 there are many, ourselves among the number, who would be unwilling to 

 admit that it was in any Avay surpassed by the smaller minstrel. It is 

 also a most useful bird, doing good work in gardens in hunting out and 

 devouring snails, and as it does but little injury to the fruit, deserves to 

 be universally protected. 



The late Mr. T. B. A. Briggs noticed tliat Thrushes (not Sparrows) 

 tear the flowers of the crocus in pieces in early spring and devour small 

 portions. 



This species generally begins to build early in March ; in 1878, how- 

 ever, nests had been commenced at the end of February near Exeter. 



Mr. Robert Gumming, when walking on the downs at Babbacombe, 

 came across the dried-up body of a Song-Thrush having a Slow-wo)-m, 

 ;ilso dead and dried-up, between its mandibles, and passing some dis- 

 tance downwards, as if it had been partially swallowed by the bird. 

 It is probable that both Thrush and Slow- worm perished in the struggle. 

 The specimen was presented to the A. M. M. just as it was found by 

 Mr. Cumming. 



In building their nests birds arc often not unmindful of decoration. 

 All instance of this was furnished ]jy a Thrush whose nest we found in a 

 heap of ]»ca-sticks in a corner of our garden. Some fresh peach-ldossoms 

 were stuck on the outside of the nest, within which the bird was sifting 

 on her eggs in conscious pride. 



Dr. Edward Moore menlions a white variety, and anotlier with a wliifo 

 spot occupying the back of the neck and siioulders (Trans, i'lyra. Inst. 



b2 



