The Song Thrush. 



215 



principally at the larger end ; these vary in colour and 

 markings — as do the eggs of all other wild birds — but not to 

 any great extent. The hen incubates from thirteen to fifteen 

 days, according to the temperature of the atmosphere, and other 

 causes. Some hens commence to set after they have laid 

 a second egg, others after the third (this is the general rule), and 

 a few, not until the fourth has been deposited. Thrushes 

 are very attentive to their young, but do not clamour and 

 wail, like Blackbirds, when deprived of them. 



Methods of Captuee. — The Song Thrush may be taken in 

 the same manner as the Blackbird ; it is, however, less cautious 

 than that bird, and, consequently, more easily ensnared. A 

 few well-limed twigs, placed near the spot they are known 

 to frequent to obtain water, or beneath trees where they 

 daily visit, will, in most cases, prove successful. Dig up a 

 piece of earth near the foot of a tree, and place upon it a 

 square frame, made from the branches of that tree, or a 

 similar one, without removing the bark ; fasten this frame 

 together with a piece of wire, or small wire nails, and 

 fix some horsehair nooses to it. Bait with small worms, 

 or berries. Limed twigs would answer equally as well as 

 this frame, if preferred. These birds can also be taken with 

 the day net, suitably placed on a garden lawn where they 

 are accustomed to visit. They are most easily captured 

 during stormy weather, when there is a scarcity of food. 



Food and Teeatment. — In a wild state. Song Thrushes 

 feed on worms, insects of various kinds, and snails. In the 

 autumn and winter months, they feed on diJfferent kinds of 

 berries, such as those of the mistletoe, hawthorn, juniper, and 

 mountain ash. In confinement, they will live on barley meal, 

 made into a soft paste with water ; but a change of diet 

 is highly essential in order to keep them in health and song. 

 They are partial to oatmeal and skimmed milk, made like a 

 "Hasty pudding," but require a few worms and snails occa- 

 sionally ; the white snails, in their shells, they prefer to all 

 others ; they will not eat black snails. They must also be 

 provided with a good round, small cobble, or paving stone, 

 on which they can smash the shells, which they do in the 

 most deliberate manner, and in a dexterous fashion. They 

 should, likewise, have a little fresh lean meat, finely shredded, 

 and mixed with breadcrumbs, say once a week ; and at other 



