In the female the upper part of the beak is browner, the head and rump of a paler gray, the throat whitish, the back dingy rust colour, and the feet deep brown.
Of this species there are many varieties, the white, the spotted, the white headed, and the like.
Habitation.—When wild this species spreads not only all over Europe, but also over Syria and Siberia. In the summer it remains in the northern regions, where it builds in pine forests. It arrives in Germany and England in prodigious flights in November, and passes the winter in places producing the juniper; its return northward takes place in the first fine days of spring.
In confinement it is treated like the missel thrush, but it is generally only kept as a decoy bird. Heat being injurious, it is kept as far as possible from the stove.
Food.—When wild it feeds like the two preceding species.
In confinement it is fed in the same way; raw carrots grated with bread is added, which the others like also.
Mode of Taking.—The same as in the two preceding species.
Attractive Qualities.—Its song is a mere harsh disagreeable warble. I should not have introduced it among cage birds if the lovers of bird-catching did not in winter require its call when pursuing its species.