NATURAL HISTORY 



257 



Sub-family b. Turdince. 



TURDUS. 



Viscivorus (Lat. Viscus, a Misseltoe; voro, I devour), the Misseltoe 



Thrush. 



The MISSELTOE THRUSH, or STORMCOCK, according to 

 "Waterton, " surpasses all other thrushes in size, and is deci- 

 dedly the largest songster of the European birds. He remains 

 with us the whole of the year, and he is one of three birds 

 which charm us with their melody during the dreary months 

 of winter, when the throstle and lark are silent, and all the 

 migratory birds have left us, to sojourn in warmer climates. 

 He appears to be gregarious in the months of August and 

 September." " This bird, though usually known by the name 

 of the Misseltoe Thrush in many parts of England, is invari- 

 ably called the Stormcock by all the lower orders in our 

 neighbourhood : not that it delights in storms more than in 

 fine weather ; but that nature has taught it to pour forth its 

 melody at a time of the year when the bleak winds of winter 

 roar through the leafless trees." 



It is very fond of the berries of the misseltoe, but when 

 they fail it turns its attention to those of the mountain ash, 

 which are almost certain to attract this beautiful and powerful 



