The Song Thrush. 



wild Thrushes, at first they sulk, but a few lively worms quickly induce 

 them to feed. 



Family— TURDID^ Sicbfamily— TURBINE. 



The Song Thrush. 



Tiirdtts Mudcus. — Linn. 



FOUND throughout the Palsearctic Region, but rare in the extreme East, 

 generally migratory in Western Europe, though resident in some countries; 

 generally distributed throughout the British Islands, though of rare occurrence in 

 the Shetlands. In England this bird is a partial migrant, great numbers 

 travelling southward late in the autumn but returning to their old haunts at 

 the first sign of spring weather; nevertheless, a considerable number remains 

 with us during the winter. 



The adult bird above is deep olive-brown, the wing coverts tipped with 

 bright deep buff, under parts mostly white, the cheeks somewhat yellowish, 

 streaked with brown; the breast and sides ochraceous buff, boldly marked with 

 fan-shaped black spots ; spots on the white ventral surface of the body more 

 elongated, spindle-shaped and less numerous ; bill dark brown, paler at the 

 base of the lower mandible; legs pale brown, iris brown. The female resembles 

 the male, but has a slightly broader head. Nestlings differ from adults in 

 having the upper parts mottled with buff. 



Wherever there is cover, you. may expect to see the Song Thrush, he is 

 fond of shrubberies, hedgerows, and all places which afford partial conceal- 

 ment. Watch him in the garden, you will see him running down a path, 

 stopping after every few feet to look cautiously around, now he spies a large 

 bush or evergreen upon a bed to right or left and suddenly darting imder 

 it commences to dig vigorously for worms, presently he appears again upon 

 another path running as before and again disappearing in like manner, he 



