[Illustration]
Turdus musicus, LINNÆUS; La Grive, BUFFON; Die Singdrossel,
BECHSTEIN.
We might, with Brisson, name this bird the _small missel thrush_, so
much does it resemble the preceding in form, plumage, abode, manners,
and gait. Its length is only eight inches and a half, three and a half
of which belong to the tail. The beak is three quarters of an inch, horn
brown, the under part yellowish at the base and yellow within; the iris
is nut brown; the shanks are an inch high, and of a dingy lead-colour.
All the upper part of the body is olive brown; the throat is yellowish
white, with a black line on each side; the sides of the neck and breast
are of a pale reddish white, variegated with dark brown spots, shaped
liked a heart reversed; the belly is white, and covered with more oval
spots.
In the female the two black lines on the throat are narrower, the breast
is lighter, and of a plain yellowish white, and the reddish spots on the
wing-coverts are smaller. These slight differences make it desirable for
those whose eye is not accustomed to them, to have both sexes before
them, if they wish to learn to distinguish them.
The white variety, that with a white head, the streaked, and the
ash-coloured, are not very rare.
HABITATION.--When wild this species is spread all over Europe,
frequenting woods near streams and meadows. As soon as the autumnal
fogs appear, they collect in large flights to seek a warmer
climate[67]. The principal time of passage is from the 15th of
September to the 15th of October, and of return about the middle or
end of March; each pair then returns to its own district, and the
male warbles his hymn to spring from the same tree where he had sung
it the preceding year.
In confinement this bird is lodged like the missel thrush, and is
much more worthy of being kept, as its voice is more beautiful, its
song is more varied, and being smaller it makes less dirt.
FOOD.--When wild it lives on insects and berries, like the preceding.
In confinement, oatmeal moistened with milk is a very good food; and
it requires also a great deal of fresh water, as well for bathing as
drinking. When taken old it is often very difficult to induce these
birds to eat, and the greater number die in consequence.
BREEDING.--This species generally builds on the lower branches of
trees; the nest being pretty large, and formed of moss mixed with
earth or cow-dung. The hen lays twice a year, from three to six green
eggs, speckled with large and small dark brown spots. The first brood
is ready to fly by the end of April. The upper part of the body in
the young ones is speckled with white. By taking them from the nest
when half-grown they may be easily reared on white bread soaked in
boiled milk; and they are easily taught to perform airs. As this
thrush builds by preference in the neighbourhood of water, the nest
may be easily found by seeking it in the woods beside a stream, and
near it the male will be heard singing.
MODE OF TAKING.--This is the same as for the preceding species and the
three which follow; of all the birds for which snares are laid, those
for the thrush are most successful. A perch with a limed twig is the
best method for catching a fine-toned male. In September and October
these birds may also be caught in the water traps, where they repair
at sunrise and sunset, and sometimes so late that they cannot be
seen, and the ear is the only guide. When they enter the water haste
must be avoided, because they like to bathe in company, and assemble
sometimes to the number of ten or twelve at once, by means of a
particular call. The first which finds a convenient stream, and
wishes to go to it, cries in a tone of surprise or joy, "_sik, sik,
sik, siki, tsac, tsac, tsac_;" immediately all in the neighbourhood
reply together, and repair to the place: they enter the bath however
with much circumspection, and seldom venture till they have seen a
red-breast bathe without danger; but the first which ventures is soon
followed by the others, which begin to quarrel if the place is not
large enough for all the bathers. In order to attract them, it is a
good plan to have a tame bird running and fluttering on the banks of
the stream.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The song thrush is the great charm of our
woods, which it enlivens by the beauty of its song. The rival of the
nightingale, it announces in varied accents the return of spring, and
continues its delightful notes during all the summer months,
particularly at morning and evening twilight. It is to procure this
gratification in his dwelling that the bird-fancier rears it, and
deprives it of its liberty; and he thus enjoys the pleasures of the
woods in the midst of the city. With care and properly varied food it
may be preserved in captivity five or six years.