SONG THRUSH. 
15 
JNSESSORES. 
DENTIROSTRES. MERULIDJE. 
PLATE XLIX. 
SONG THRUSH. 
Merula musica. 
This well-known bird, one of our finest singers if we 
except tlie redbreast, is, like him, not only British by birth, 
but a constant resident in his native land. His sweet and 
varied song begins with the dawn, and continues, at intervals, 
throughout the day; but the evening appears the time in 
which he most delights,—then he pours forth uninterruptedly 
his rich and eloquent strain. “ Of all our resident birds, the 
inflexions of its notes are the most modulated, distinct, and 
harmonious. Perched on the naked branch of a tree, this 
charming vocalist continues to pour forth his clear, melo¬ 
dious strains ; gradually they rise in strength, then fall in 
gentle cadences, becoming at length so low as to be scarcely 
audible ; especially towards evening, the song is continued 
almost without intermission, and does not entirely cease till 
night draws round its sable shroud.” If conscious of being 
observed, his song suddenly ceases, and he silently drops 
from his branch into the underwood beneath. 
The song of this species is divided into distinct modu¬ 
lations, each consisting of four or five syllables ; every modu¬ 
lation is repeated in exactly the same form, after the manner 
of the nightingale, from three or four to about seven times, 
and then exchanged for another movement. 
VOL. II. 
c 
