Turdus Musicus, by John Gould

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"Turdus Musicus" (a Song Thrush)

Artists: J. Gould and H. C. Richter

Printed by: Walter

1873

Source: Gould, plate 32

Gould writes, on this popular and often inspirational British songbird, "On no one of our native birds have more poetical effusions been written than the Thrush. Nor is this surprising, for it is one of the earliest of the spring birds to serenade us in our gardens, to pour forth its powerful notes in our woods, and to enliven our hedgerows with its wondrous song. From February until August, with but little intermission, its voice gladdens our islands, from the far west to the most eastern promontory, from the southern islet of Hampshire to Caithness and the Hebrides." [Commentary continues below.]

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Gould continues by commenting on the natural characteristics of the bird:

Everywhere the tameness of its disposition and the melody of its song procure it friends and protectors. I believe there is no other member of the genus to which this bird belongs that can compete with it in the vigour and volubility of its notes. Its power in this respect appears to be so perfectly innate, that the young display it when only a few months old; but of course their tones are far less spirited and varied than those of the old males, when they take up a position in the woods and sing against each other during the sitting of the females; so soon, however, as the eggs are hatched, their songs are less frequently heard, and both sexes become fussy and attentive to the little ones, which soon grow to the size of their parents, and resemble them in their colours and markings.

The thrushes' migration, — for many of these birds fly in from abroad, from Scandinavia especially, in the autumn — and their preferance for humid areas, are then discussed, as are their nests, lined with decomposed wood mixed with mud, and their "beautiful blue eggs dotted with black." Gould also quite dispassionately describes the shooting and trapping of the birds of passage en route, giving a long account of the traditional practice of this "sport" in Belgium. The flesh was baked with butter, juniper-berries and diced bacon, and was considered a great "delicacy." However, before condemning these practices, it is worth noting the more recent great decline in numbers, probably due to loss of habitat and food (see Holden and Cleeves 219) for which we must share responsibility. It is cheering to learn that there are now signs of a "slight recovery"(BTO).

Links to Related Material

Bibliography

Gould, John. The Birds of Great Britain Vol. 2. London: Gould, 1873. Internet Archive. Contributed by Smithsonian Libraries. Web. 7 May 2025.

Holden, Peter, and Tim Cleeves. RSPB Handbook of British Birds. London: Christopher Helm, 2002.

"Song-Thrush." BTO (British Trust for Ornithology. Web. 7 May 2025. https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/song-thrush

Created 7 May 2025