THRUSHES. 
203 
time the thermometer, even at noon, rarely rose 
above the freezing-point, we recollect finding dead 
Redwings in greater numbers than any other birds. 
They are naturally remarkably shy, but hunger soon 
makes them tame, as many a Christmas school-boy 
knows; when, if the weather is mild, he in vain 
endeavours to get a shot at a chattering party, 
temptingly perched on a naked bough ; whereas, 
should a severe frost set in, they seem to invite his 
approach, and allow him to take a steady aim within 
a few yards. Our common Song-Thrush, however, 
is a more social bird, and, if unmolested, will build 
its nest frequently almost within sight of our windows. 
Instances have indeed occurred of still greater con- 
fidence. Thus, a short time ago, in Scotland, some 
carpenters, working in a shed adjacent to the house, 
observed a Thrush flying in and out, which induced 
them to direct their attention to the cause, when, to 
their surprise, they found a nest commenced amongst 
the teeth of a harrow, which, with some other 
farming tools and implements, were placed upon the 
joists of the shed, just over their heads. The car- 
penters had arrived soon after six o’clock ; and at 
seven, when they found the nest, it was in a great 
state of forwardness, and had evidently been the 
morning’s work of a pair of these indefatigable birds. 
Their activity throughout the day was incessant, and 
when the workmen left off in the evening, and came 
again in the morning, they found the female seated 
in her half-finished mansion, and, when she flew off 
for a short time, it was found that she had already 
laid an egg, though the bottom of the nest was the 
only part plastered and completed, evidently to meet 
