_THE SINGING THRUSH._
[Illustration]
1. The thrush is one of our best singing birds. It does not come near
the house, like the wren, but it builds its nest in thickets and quiet
places, where it is not liable to be disturbed.
2. It lives on berries and insects. It is a shy bird; but in the edge
of the wood its song may be heard often during the day, becoming more
frequent toward evening.
3. The mother bird lays from four to six eggs, and both father and
mother sit on the eggs and take care or the young.
4. The thrush is double the size of the wren, and nearly all the kinds
are brown in color, some having their wings tipped with red or yellow.
[Illustration]
5. The brown thrush, or brown thrasher as it is sometimes called, is
bold and strong, and when a cat or fox comes prowling about near its
nest it flies at him so savagely that he is glad to get out of the
way.
6. It is not afraid of hawks, and it has a special spite against
snakes that come around to rob its nest. When it sees a snake, it
flies at him with great rage, and kills him or drives him off.
7. The hermit thrush lives in the dark, thick woods, and many people
think its song, which is heard in the evening twilight, is sweeter
than that of any other bird.