i80 



PASSEEINES. 



Southern States. Its notes are so melodious tLat the conscientious 

 Audubon does not hesitate to rank them far above those of the 

 ISTightingale. In addition to this, it possesses the wonderful 

 faculty of imitating the songs of other birds, and even the cries of 

 the mammals which make their abode near it. For this reason the 

 Indians call it the "Bird with Four Hundred Ton<Tues." Beiiii;- 

 jirotected by the inhabitants of Louisiana, it does not seem to dread 

 the presence of man, and builds its nest witli the utmost publicit^■ 

 in the vicinity of dwellings. When it is captured before leaving 

 the nest it becomes very tame. 



The pjrincipal species of the Thrusli are the Song Thrush, tlie 

 Iiedwiug, the Mistletoe, and the Fieldfare. 



The S().\G Thuusii, Mavis of the Scotch (Fig. ■Jii'J). lias enjovcd, 



ever since the days of anliquit}', gi'cat i^epulaticin, not, as we might 

 have desired, for its vocal powers, but for the delicacv of its flesh. 

 The Romans appreciated these birds to such a degree that they were 

 in the habit of fattening them by thousands in immense aviaries, 

 clevei'ly combining the privation of light with a suitable diet. 

 Nowadays, Thrushes are not fattened artiticialU-, because the^- 

 take very good care to fatten themselves in their autumnal visit 

 to the South of Europe; l\)r they gorge themselves to such an 

 extent with grapes, figs, and olives, thai tliey attain an incredible 



