THE ROBIN, 29 



KOBIN. {Turdus migratorius.) 



Plate II.— Fig. 2. 



Linn. Syst. i. p. 292, 6. — Turdus Canadensis, Briss. ii. p. 225, 9.— La Litorne de 

 Canada, Buff. iii. p. 307. — Grive de Canada, PL enl. 556, 1. — Fieldfare of 

 Carolina, Cat. Car. i. 29.— Red-breasted Thrush, Arct. Zool. ii. No. 196. — 

 Lath. Syn. ii. p. 26. — Bartram, p. 290. — Peale's Museum, No. 5278. 



TURDUS MIGRATORIUS.*— LnwMvs. - 



Turdus migratorius, Bonap. Synop. p. 75 — Merula migratoria, Worth. 

 Zool, ii. p. 177. 



This well-known bird, being familiar to almost everybody, 

 will require but a short description. It measures nine inches 

 and a half in length ; the bill is strong, an inch long, and of 

 a full yellow, though sometimes black or dusky near the tip 



* In the beautifully wrought-out arrangement of the Meruhdce, by 

 Mr Swainson, in the second volume of the " Northern Zoology," that 

 family will form the second among the Dentirostres or the subtypical 

 group ; including, for its five principal divisions, the families Merulince, 

 Myotherina, Brachypoclince, Oriolince, and Crateropodince ; among these, 

 however, two, or at most three, only come within the range of the 

 northern continent of America — the first and third. The first, Merulince, 

 or more properly the typical form, will now claim our attention. 



In all the members taken collectively, and in adaptation to their 

 general habits, they show considerable perfection, though their form 

 as a part of the Dentirostres does not come up to the typical perfections 

 of that group. The parts are adapted for extensive locomotion, either 

 in walking or perching, and in flight ; many perform very considerable 

 migrations, and long and rapid flights are often taken in those countries 

 even where the climate does not seem to render this necessary. They 

 are nearly omnivorous. A great part of their sustenance is sought for 

 upon the ground, particularly during that season when insects are not 

 indispensable for the welfare of their broods ; and their feet and tarsi 

 are admirably formed for walking and inspecting the various places 

 where their food is then chiefly to be found. At other times they live 

 principally upon fruits and some vegetables, with the larvse of insects, 

 and the abundant supply of large and succulent caterpillars ; but during 

 winter, the harder grains, and more fleshy insects common to low 

 meadows and moist woods, such as the various snails, flies, and worms, 

 are nearly their only food ; for after the first month of the inclement 

 season has passed, most of the winter wild fruits and berries have either 



