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YERTEBRATA. 
THE SONG THRUSH. 
Vigorous, and oft re|)eated; it also imitates tlie notes of other tirds, sometimes crowing like the 
cock, or taking up parts of the song of the nightingale. It is often kept in cages, but is most ad- 
mired when at liberty in the open air. 
The Song Thrush or Throstle, T. musicus — the Mavis of the Scotch, and often alluded to in 
Scottish verse ; the Grive of the French; Tordo of the Italians; and Sing Drossel of the Ger- 
mans — is found in every part of Europe, haunting the gardens and the woods and meadows, es- 
pecially near streams, and everywhere admired for its charming song. It feeds on worms, insects, 
snails, and fruits. The nest is made of green moss externally, mixed with fine root-fibers; 
it is lined within with cow-dung and decayed wood, the lining forming a cement so perfectly 
spread that it wall hold water; eggs are four or five, of a light blue, the larger end having a few 
small black specks or spots; the first hatch generally comes forth in April; there are generally 
two broods in the year ; both the cock and the hen sit, but the former less than the latter ; the 
male often feeding his mate on the nest. A holly, a thick bush, a dense and somewhat high 
«hrub, or a fir, is usually selected; but the bird has been known to breed in an open shed. It is 
frequently kept in cages, and is taught to perform various simple airs. 
THE EED-WING THETJSH. 
The Ring Ousel, T. torguatus, resembles the preceding, though it is a trifle larger ; the color 
is black, with a crescent-shaped mark of pure white across the chest. It is a good singer, builds 
on or near the ground, lays four or five eggs, and sometimes flies in small flocks. It is a winter 
visitor from the north to tbe south of Europe. 
