SONG BIRDS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



whether the good done by the Thrush may not far 

 more than counterbalance the evil. The creatures 

 on which the Thrush feeds are destructive : they 

 have no song, and they are at least not more plea- 

 sant to look at than Thrushes.* 



The Thrush builds her nest early in spring, 

 generally in March, in a thick bush, hawthorn, 

 holly, silver fir, furze, ivied tree, or sometimes in 

 a dead fence where the grass grows high ; but it 

 has occasionally been found to nestle within out- 

 buildings. Fine and soft moss, interwoven with 

 dried grass or hay, forms the outside of the nest ; 

 and the inside is curiously plastered with cow- 

 dung, or horsedung, as Mr. Rennie observes, inter- 

 mixed with rotten wood. The eggs are five or 

 six in number, of a bluish green colour, speckled 

 with a few dark spots, chiefly at the larger end. 



In confinement, oatmeal moistened with milk 

 is a very good food ; and it requires also a great 

 deal of fresh water, as well for bathing as drink- 

 ing. 



* Mudie's British Birds. 



