210 FKROCITY OP THE MtSSEL THRUSH. 



composed of ruslies woven together, as they usually are, like basket-work, 

 and contained eight eggs warm as a toast. 



At the farther end of the pond we met with several Sedge Reedlings, 

 {CalamoherjK pliragmitis,) which were chattering and singing at a great rate. 

 I never met with them in any other locality near Leeds. We saw nothing 

 else worthy of note at the pond except a large Water Vole, which dived on 

 our approach, and rising at a little distance, struck boldly out across a wide 

 corner, performing a much longer stretch than I ever saw done by one of 

 these quadrupeds before; indeed, as far as my observation goes, it does not 

 Aseem to be a common practice with them to venture far from shore, though 

 I can give no reason for it. 



We now set out on our return by a different way, and stopped awhile 

 on a railway bridge, to watch a number of Bank Sw9,llows, which were 

 glancing up and down in the cutting below. We had not seen any previously, 

 but, as they were numerous, they had probably arrived some time. After 

 this, we met with nothing worth mentioning, and hastened home from a 

 ramble which I shall ever remember with pleasure — a pleasure which those 

 on whom nature has bestowed a passionate love for her works, and whom 

 necessity compels to live cooped up in the crowded city, will easily comprehend. 



Kingsdown, Bristol, 8 iiw: IWi., 18o2. 



ALLEGED FEROCITY OP THE MISSEL THRUSH, 

 {TUBDUS VISGIVORUS.) 



BY W. P. W. B. 



The description of the Missel Thrush in Mr. Macgillivray's ^'History of 

 British Birds," contains a remarkable communication from his very assiduous 

 nnd most delightful correspondent, Mr. Weir; in which that gentleman mentions 

 in detail, several instances of the ferocious propensity of this bird to prey 

 upon the eggs and young of others; not sparing even the grown-up family 

 of his cousin the Song Thrush, {T. musicus.) 



This unfavourable ''trait," so foreign to our established ideas of Thrushes, 

 has not, as far as I can ascertain, been mentioned, or even alluded to, by 

 any other ornithologist or writer on Natural History, either in this country or 

 on the Continent; but I think no one who has read the numerous and inte- 

 resting contributions with which Mr. Weir has enriched Mr. Macgillivray's 

 great work, can doubt the accuracy of his statements. His regard for truth is 

 only equalled by the perseverance with which he seeks for it. 



At the same time, if this be an habitual feature in the Missel I'hrush's 

 character generally, and not the result of accidental or temporary causes, or 

 the cruel practice of a particularly savage individual, it would be in the 

 power of many ornithologists living in the country, to bring forward similar 

 facts from their own observation; and it is to be hoped that some will give 



