178 BIRDS 



The Song Thrush (Turdus musicus), which is found 

 throughout northern Europe, is the only spotted-breasted 

 thrush which is common in captivity with us. It is a large 

 bird, not much smaller than our Robin. It is olive brown 

 above and pale buff below, the chest being heavily marked 

 with large, triangular spots of blackish-brown. The Song 

 Thrush is always to be obtained from dealers, but unfortu- 

 nately these birds are almost invariably wild-caught adults, 

 which are extremely nervous and difficult to tame. Hand- 

 reared birds are much steadier and become quite fearless. 

 The Song Thrush is an excellent singer, its notes being very 

 loud and clear. The cage should be of good size and not 

 less than two feet in length. If the bird is unsteady, a cloth 

 top is a wise precaution. The usual soft food, fruit, insects 

 and an occasional bit of meat will meet all its dietary needs. 



The European Blackbird (Turdus merula) is dis- 

 tinguished from other Old World thrushes by the black 

 plumage and yellow beak of the male, although there are 

 several American forms which resemble it very closely. 

 The female is a warm brown, with the breast slightly 

 mottled. The Blackbird is a famous songster, its notes 

 closely resembling those of our Robin. In captivity it is 

 more philosophic than the Song Thrush, and altogether is 

 a much more satisfactory cage bird. Its feeding habits are 

 similar to those of the preceding species. 



The Blue Solitaire or *■' Glaring " (Myadestes uni- 

 color) reaches New York from Mexico in considerable 

 numbers. It is a dark-gray bird of medium size, with a 

 white eye-ring, the plumage being very soft and thick. 

 The Solitaire is a superb singer, perhaps the finest among 

 birds. Its notes are clear, liquid and sustained, having a 

 marked resemblance to silver chimes. It lives well in cap- 

 tivity, but of course must be protected from draughts and 

 cold. It is of exceedingly greedy habits, and will become 



