CINCINNATI ZOO GUIDE 
plumage, found in the United States and southern Canada. 
Though quite a mimic, it has an original and pleasing song of 
its own. It sometimes sings for an hour without cessation. It 
feeds on insects which it seizes in the air and near the ground, 
like a flycatcher. 
The Song Thrush ( 'Turdus musicus ), Europe. This bird stands 
in high favor among British birds, we are told. It sings a great 
part of the year, and its song is particularly pleasing; being 
rich, mellow, prolonged, pure in intonation and varied in notes. 
The Hermit Thrush (Turdus solitarius). This is one of the 
most conspicuous members of the thrush family, and is really a 
pretty bird. It migrates with other thrushes. Its song is flute¬ 
like and sweet. Early settlers, in the Adirondacks called the 
hermit thrush “The Swamp Angel.” 
The Wood Thrush (. Hylocichla mustelina ) is also represented 
in the collection. 
European Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris). It really is a good 
mimic and may be taught to talk. The size of the starling is 
about that of the thrush. Seen at a distance it is apparently 
black, but a nearer view reveals the fact that its plumage is 
beautifully streaked with green, purple and steel-blue. 
The Weaver Birds. There are a large number of weaver birds 
in the collection, including the red-beaked, the olive, the red¬ 
faced, the orange, and the black-bellied. They inhabit Africa 
and India. 
The Sociable Weaver Birds, South Africa. Build their nests 
in large mimosa trees. Several hundred of these nests will be 
found under one general roof. Sometimes the weight of one of 
these aerial cities becomes too great for the tree to support and 
it gives way. They then desert their nests and build on other 
trees. 
Blackbirds, orioles and their kindred, form the link between 
the finches and crows. One of the most prominent is the: 
European Blackbird (XUrdus merula) of Europe This is 
another constant singer, and likewise a clever mimic. It does 
