Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1879 — Ingenuity of the Thrash. [ARTICLE]

Ingenuity of the Thrash.

There was recently pointed out to me a thrush’s nest, built In the fork of a mountain ash, so near to the bedroom window as to be under the close inspection of an invalid lady, who, with her husband and her nurse, was much interested in watching the daily progress of the family. The young birds were hatched on the 20th of June. For several weeks no rain had fallen until the 29th, when a heavy downpour set in, which lasted, with very slight intermission, throughout that and the following day. The parent birds were much distressed to give shelter to their young, and despite all their care they failed m their efforts, until, struck with a happy thought, they succeeded in placing a stick across the nest; then availing

themselves of this extemporized perch, and simultaneously spreading out their wings, they formed a complete and effectual canopy. On the following day the perch had disappeared. With the return of sunshine both parents, relieved from all anxiety on account of the weather, were busily plying their brood with grubs and caterpillars, so that I had no opportunity of Seeing the happy contrivance; but the three more fortunate observers bore testimony, in terms of high admiration, to the skill and patience exhibited by the thrushes, who never deserted the perch so long as the rain continued, although their own feathers were dripping with water. Throughout the second day of the trial the male bird brought food to his mate, who distributed it among her nurslings, taking, of course, her own well-earned share. I asked my friends how the birds oontrived to carry up the perch, more than fifteen feet from the ground, but neither had been so fortunate as to witness what must have been a clever piece of engineering. C&r. Science Gossip.