Chirri, chirri, chooee,
Quiu, qui, qui.”
It must be admitted by all who have paid particular attention to the song of the thrush, that this is a wonderful imitation, so far as words can express notes. The
first four lines, lines 7, 13, and 14, and the last five lines in particular, approach remarkably close in sound to the original; and this is rendered the more apparent if we endeavour to pronounce the words by whistling.
Intimately associated with the thrush is its congener the Blackbird (Turdus merula). Both visitors to our lawns and shrubberies, they remind us of their presence, when we do not see them, by their sweet, clear notes, and when the cold of winter has made them silent, we are still charmed with their sprightly actions, and the beauty of their plumage.
THE OUZEL.
The attractive appearance of the blackbird was not overlooked by Shakespeare, who has mentioned him in one of his songs:—
“The ouzel-cock, so black of hue,
With orange-tawny bill.”
Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act iii. Sc. 1.