196 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



are kidney-shaped, while in the Common European 

 Thrush they have somewhat the shape of ^ peg-top. 

 The outer tail-feathers are tipped with white. See 

 Plate 11, Fig. 55. 



The European Blackbird is probably a better 

 known bird than the preceding, for he is more in evi- 

 dence, living in and near large towns. In the London 

 parks Blackbirds are seen at all seasons of the year. 

 Though the sable livery and golden bill give this bird 

 some claim to beauty, it is more as a songster that it 

 is esteemed, its notes being peculiarly flute-like and 

 beautiful. The plumage of the female is dull brown. 



It is interesting to note that the nest of this Black- 

 bird, like that of the Missel-thrush, is lined with dry 

 grasses, while that of the Common Thrush has a 

 water-tight lining of rotten wood. See Plate 11, Fig. 

 54. 



Nearly related to, and more striking in appearance 

 than the Blackbird, is the Ring-ouzel, which has a 

 pure white crescent on the breast. As a songster, how- 

 ever, it is far inferior to the other species. See Plate 

 11, Fig. 56. 



A very beautiful European Thrush is the Rock- 

 thrush, which most nearly represents the American 

 Bluebird. The plumage of the male is a mixture of 

 blue, black, white and reddish colours. This bird is 

 common in Germany and other parts of the continent 

 of Europe, but is seldom seen in Great Britain. See 

 Plate 12, Fig. 57. 



The delicately coloured little bird called the Wheat- 

 ear is fovmd widely distributed throughout the Old 

 World, and occasionally visits America. The plumage 



