THRUSH. 35 



The female mostly brown, inclining to rufous beneath, particu- 

 larly on the breast and belly. Bill dusky black ; legs brown. 



Young birds, at first, much resemble the females, not becoming 

 full black, nor gaining the yellow bill, till the second year. 



This is very common throughout the temperate parts of Europe, 

 being mentioned by most authors ; is not plentiful in Russia, except 

 in the western provinces, and in respect to some parts of that empire 

 is migratory ; for it is seldom observed at Woronesch, on the River 

 Don, till past the middle of April ;* has never been seen in Siberia.f 



Said to be frequent at Aleppo, but probably is not common in 

 any part of Asia; J certainly met with in some parts of Africa, as it 

 is known to be in Barbary, and to abound greatly in all parts of the 

 Isthmus of Gibraltar, among the bushes and inclosures, with a few 

 about the north face of the rock ; they are likewise met with on the 

 opposite shores of Africa. 



This species is not gregarious, preferring a solitary life; and is a 

 timorous, restless bird ; frequents hedges, and is often in gardens, and 

 near habitations in summer time, but in winter chiefly in woods ; it 

 builds in a thick bush, for the most part, making the nest of straw, 

 moss, and dried grass, with a lining of clay, or earth, and lastly a 

 layer of fine hay; it lays four or five bluish green eggs, marked with 

 dark spots,§ and sits about fourteen days ; the young birds are very 

 frequently brought up tame ; the natural note is agreeable, but so 

 loud, that it is only sunerable at a distance ; yet when kept tame, 

 may be taught to whistle tunes, as well as to imitate the human voice. 

 Its food is mostly worms and insects, also shelled snails ; which last 

 are most dexterously broken against a stone, the better to get at the 

 inhabitants ; in the fruit season is destructive in gardens s being very 

 fond of cherries, &c. 



* Dec. Russ. i. 102. f Mr. Pennant. 



£ I have seen one very like it in some Chinese drawings, but the legs were red, as well 

 as the bill, and the under parts dusky. I will therefore not be positive that it is the same 

 with ours : most probably the Persian, or next species. 



§ The weight of the egg said to be half a Caroline, Naturf. xiv. s.48. 



F 2 



