238 THE MISSEL THRUSH. 



The fiercest war is, however, waged against the black-snake, a reptile which makes many a 

 meal on the eggs and young of various birds, and is in no wise disposed to spare those of the 

 Mocking-bird. Against this terrible foe both parents aim their fiercest blows, and it often 

 happens that the snake which has writhed its way to the Mocking-bird's nest in hope of 

 devouring the callow young, pays with its life for its temerity, and falls dead to the ground, 

 while the victor bird pours forth a song of triumphant congratulation. The nest is always 

 placed at a short distance from the ground, being seldom seen at an elevation of more than 

 eight feet. 



The materials of which the nest is composed are generally dried weeds and very slender 

 twigs as a foundation ; straw, hay, wool, dried leaves, and moss, as the main wall ; and fine 

 vegetable fibres as the lining. The eggs are four or five in number, and there are often two 

 broods in the course of the year. The color of the eggs is greenish-blue, spotted with amber- 

 brown. 



The Mocking-bird is deservedly considered the equal of the nightingale. It is an inhabitant 

 of both North and South America, and is rarely seen in the New England States, though Mr. 

 Allen asserts it has been known to breed near Springfield, in Massachusetts, several times. In 

 one instance the pair were secured, with the nest and eggs. On the Florida reef, in winter, we 

 have often seen this bird in numbers, but they are then silent. 



A species allied to this is called the MOUNTAIN MOCKING-BIRD (Oreoscoptes montanus). 

 It is a Californian species. 



The color of the Mocking-bird is a dull brown, with a decided ashen tinge. The quill- 

 feathers of the wings are white towards their base, and brown-black towards their extremities, 

 the two central feathers of the tail are dark brownish-black, the two externals are white, and 

 the remainder are white on their inner webs. The chin, throat, and whole of the under part 

 of the body are very pale brown, inclining to gray. As has already been mentioned, the pure 

 white of the wings and the blacker hue of the body afford sufficient indications of the male 

 bird, while the tail is nearly equally white in both sexes. The length of the adult Mocking- 

 bird is about nine inches. 



THE genus in which the true THRUSHES are placed is one of the largest yet established, 

 containing nearly one hundred and twenty accredited species, which are found in almost all 

 quarters of the globe. 



THE first example of this group is the MISSEL THRUSH, one of the largest and handsomest 

 of the species. 



On account of its great size, its combative nature, its brightly feathered breast, its rich 

 voice, and gregarious habits, it is one of the best known birds. About the beginning of 

 April the Missel Thrush sets about its nest, and in general builds a large, weighty edifice, 

 that can be seen through the leafless bushes from a great distance. Sometimes, however, 

 the nest is concealed with the greatest care, and I cannot but think that in the latter case 

 it is the work of some old bird, who has learned ca.ution through bitter experience. 



The materials of which the nest is composed are the most heterogeneous that can be 

 imagined. Every substance that can be woven into a nest is pressed into the service. 

 Moss, hay, straw, dead leaves, and grasses, are among the ruling substances that are employed 

 for the purpose, and the bird often adds manufactured products, such as scraps of rag, 

 paper or shavings. I once found one of these nests that was ingeniously placed in the 

 crown of an old hat that had evidently been flung into the tree by some traveller. At first, 

 it hardly looked like a nest, but there were a few bits of grass lying over the brim that 

 had a very suspicious aspect, and on climbing the tree, the old hat was proved to have 

 been made the basis of a warm nest, with the proper complement of eggs. As the nest is 

 so conspicuous, and built so early in the season, the eggs of the Missel Thrush generally 

 form, together with those of the hedge accentor, the first-fruits of a nesting expedition. 



The nest, although so roughly made on the exterior, is the result of very careful work- 

 manship. The outside walls are made of moss and hay, but there is a fine lining of mud, 



