222 
Birds. 
varied, and, although not so deep in the general diapa- 
son of the woodland concert as that of the blackbird, 
yet it fills up agreeably, and bursts through the inferior 
warblings of smaller performers. His breast is of a 
yellowish white, spotted with black or brown dashes, 
like ermine spots. 
The term Merle for the Blackbird, and Mavis for the 
Thrush, are used chiefly by the poets. 
" Merry is it in the good green wood, 
When the Mavis and Merle are singing, 
When the deer sweeps by, and the hounds are hi cry, 
And the hunter's horn is ringing." 
Scott. 
" Take thy delight in yonder goodly tree, 
Where the sweet Merle and warbling Mavis be. 
Drayton. 
THE EEDWING, (Turdus iliaeus,) 
Is rather less than the song thrush ; but the upper part 
of the body is of the same colour ; the breast not so 
much spotted ; the coverings of the feathers of the under 
side of the wings, which in the thrush are yellow, are 
of orange colour in this bird ; by' which marks it is 
generally distinguished. The body is white, the throat 
and breast yellowish, marked with dusky spots. It is 
migratory in this island, builds its nest in hedges, and 
lays six bluish eggs. Like the fieldfare, it leaves us in 
spring, for which reason its song is quite unknown to 
