Missel Thrush 277 



clear and delicate yellowish white, often shaded on the 

 sides of breast and flanks with buff-orange ; the tip of 

 each feather has an umber-brown spot, triangular in 

 form on the throat and breast, on the belly and flanks of 

 the shape of the tip of the feather. 



The edges of the auriculars are also tinted with the 

 same colour, and the whole under surface presents a rich 

 but chaste combination of colours and markings. The 

 under wing coverts and auxiliary feathers are of the 

 purest white, serving at once to distinguish the Missel- 

 Thrush from the Indian species, somewhat similarly 

 dressed. Legs are pale wood brown. The length is 

 from eleven to eleven and a half inches, and there is little 

 difference either in the size or colours in each sex. 



The young have the upper plumage confusedly barred 

 with yellowish- white, and have more grey on the head and 

 neck. The quills and coverts have broader pale margins 

 and tips and the under parts have a more defined yellow 

 tinge. 



A gentleman at Whitburn in the north of England 

 reports the early nesting of bird thus — 



On Friday, April 28th, I had a slight suspicion that a 

 pair of Missel Thrushes had nested here, and to-day have 

 had my vigilance rewarded. You may picture my sur- 

 prise on seeing the parent bird feeding her young. I 

 have paid a visit to-night to the nest but dare not venture 

 too near, the three inmates being already strong, and 

 liable to seek safety in flight. Especially is one of the 

 young Thrushes strong and vigorous. Perhaps the 

 favoured one may claim all the attention of the one 

 parent, whilst the remaining two are dependent on the 

 cock or hen — as the case may be — for their support. 



The oak on which the young Missel Thrushes were 

 reared stands on the boundary of the Cricket Field. 

 Saturday, April 22, was the day chosen for the first 

 practice match ; it seemed appropriate that the young 

 birds should also fledge on that date and test their flying 

 powers. How wonderful that instinct should teach 

 them that their eye is the centre of attraction, and to 

 close it when danger is near. A few days before leaving 



