28 THE MISSEL THRUSH. 



and^ in some instances, scooped out by them; into these holes, when the thaw 

 commences, the wet settles, and the plant rots; and hundreds of turnips may 

 be seen in the spring-time destroyed in this way. As soon as twilight com- 

 mences, the various flocks begin to collect, and settle in numbers upon the 

 larch firs; when they arrive at their roosting-ground, they not unfrequently 

 take two or three turns high in the air, and then the whole flock will commence 

 dropping, with closed wings and a rushing sound, upon the trees: they generally 

 spend half-an-hour or so on the very topmost branches, their vinous breasts 

 glittering in the setting sun. As darkness comes on they retire to the lower 

 branches to roost; as each bird descends, a loud flap of the wing may be 

 heard — an exciting sound to the expectant gunner — now is the time for him: 

 the increasing darkness prevents the birds leaving the wood, and many may 

 be secured during the last half-hour of the lingering light. But during the 

 day their extreme shyness renders it a most difficult task to get within shot. 

 In the clear, cold, frosty days in winter, they may be heai'd at a considerable 

 distance — their wings making a whistling sound. As spring comes on, their num- 

 bers, in this district, rapidly decrease, and they leave (where they go to I know 

 not,) to breed — a very few to all appearance remaining here. These now desert 

 the woods, and very often approach the garden to feed upon the new-sown pea. 



Inhabiting, in pairs, the old ashes and elms around dwelling-houses, here 

 the male may be heard early in the dewy mornings, cooing to his mate; and, 

 during most part of the day, he may be observed rising with a loud flap of 

 the wing, several yards above some ancient ash, when spreading his wing, he 

 will gradually descend until he settles upon the nearest tree. Should one 

 not be at hand, he will, cooing all the time, continue (a beautiful sight,) rising 

 and falling several times. During incubation they become very tame: I have 

 seen the young domesticated and walking about a cottage floor; and an old 

 dame told me, (upon my doubting that any would continue domesticated,) that 

 she had kept one several years. They frequently make their slender nest 

 in the centre of so thick a hawthorn bush, that the old bird when disturbed, 

 has to make a great fluttering, (to the loss of much of her plumage, for at all 

 seasons the feather is very loosely attached, particularly the upper tail coverts,) 

 in her attempts to force her way out. 



They lay two eggs, which are white, and delicious eating, so likewise are 

 the young birds. As soon as the young can fly, they again begin to collect. 

 They are birds of great power of flight, and pass from one locality to another 

 at a vast height. 



THE MISSEL THRUSH. {TURDUS VISCIVORUS.) 



BY THE REV. RICHARD PYE ALINGTON. 



Every one is well acquainted with the instinct shewn by various species of 

 animals for the protection of their young; among others that of many of the 

 feathered tribe, carrying away from their nests the excrements of theii- ofispring. 



