92 
SONG THRUSH. 
affords a low and comparatively bare shelter. Its 
European range is also pretty general, but we are 
not aware of its being traced beyond this division 
of the world. It continues resident with us during 
the year ; and we do not know that any of them 
which are bred here migrate, but we have an 
annual addition to our numbers, which arrive pro- 
bably from the north of Europe, a little previously 
to the appearance of the redwing and fieldfare. 
These, on their arrival, may be found abundantly 
in the turnip fields, and congregated in the moist 
pastures. They remain for a short period, and 
then appear to depart still farther to the south. 
We do not think that any of our real natives, and 
Mr Selby has expressed the same opinion, thus 
congregate. During a severe storm, small parties 
may be seen together in the vicinity of food of 
feeding ground ; but they are attracted by a com- 
mon cause, and not by that instinctive desire of 
congregating together, which we perceive among 
most birds which perform extensive journeys. 
The Thrush breeds early, and has frequently 
two broods in the year. The nest is built gene- 
rally not very high above the ground. Ever- 
greens are a favourite shelter, and the young 
spruces and silver firs frequently afford it a wel- 
come concealment. Where ivy abounds it is also 
often selected ; and in the want of any of these, 
the hazel or white and black thorns are usually 
taken as a substitute. It is composed exteriorly 
with roots, strong grasses, and slender twigs mixed 
with moss, and the interior is plastered smoothly 
