CHAPTER XXVIIL 



The Song Thrush. 



Turdus musicus, Lin.; Le Grive, Buf. 



Description and Character. — The Song Thrush is justly con- 

 sidered one of the finest of our British song birds. By the 

 majority of those people who are entitled to form an opinion 

 as to its merits, it is considered superior, in this respect, 

 to the Blackbird, and, being bolder, and more sociable in its 

 habits, is more generally known. It is not strikingly hand- 

 some in the diversity of the colours of its plumage, but is, 

 nevertheless, very far from common-place looking, being a 

 bold, sprightly, and majestic bird in its contour and carriage. 

 In addition to these recommendations, it is intellectual, and 

 agreeable in manner when kept in confinement, and especially 

 so when reared by hand. It exhibits none of that suspicious 

 temerity, so common to many of the species of wild birds, 

 is easily reconciled to a cage or aviary, and, when kept clean, 

 and well fed, seems perfectly contented. One great feature in 

 a Song Thrush is, that it will sing in a cage with almost as 

 much gusto and delight as it does when at liberty. It 

 matters little where the cage is hung, whether in a close, 

 confined room, or outside a house, in a busy thoroughfare ; 

 nothing of this sort deters it from pouring forth its rich, 

 deep, melodious notes, when in a humour to display its vocal 

 talents. 



The Song Thrush is a bird that loves cleanliness, and 

 appears much pleased when its cage is cleaned out, and fresh 

 sanded. It does not, as a rule, cast its food about, and be- 



