SONG THRUSH. 
93 
with a tolerably thick coating of clay or moist earth 
and cow-dung.* Our British Thrushes generally 
use a proportion of clay or dung to strengthen the 
frame- work or sides of their nest, but none except 
the present bird use it so liberally, or make it the 
substitute for the lining. It is smoothed by the 
action of the bird turning round in the inside 
evidently for the purpose, a similar action being 
employed by many other birds to lay close the 
down or hair, or other material selected for the 
lining of the nest. The eggs are generally five, 
very seldom six, in number, well known and 
admired by almost all for their bright turquois- 
green and clear black spots, a contrast so beautiful 
that it is scarcely ever to be resisted by the 
young bird-nester. The male parent continues 
his song near his mate during the greater part of 
hatching time, but flies to her assistance upon any 
alarm; and both will attack and endeavour to 
drive off an intruder by their screams. The 
female at first, and when unsuspicious of danger, 
allows a close approach to her nest ; and if situ- 
ated in a public place or garden, where persons 
are frequently passing, becomes a familiar and 
apparently unconcerned spectator. In our own 
garden last spring, (1837,) a somewhat singular 
circumstance occurred. The nest was placed in 
a common laurel bush, within easy reach of the 
ground, and being discovered, was many times 
daily visited by the younger branches of our 
* Rotten wood seems to be the principal ingredient of 
the interior plaster of the nest Selby. 
