296 BBITISU BIRDS' XESTS. 



Mr. Seebolim says they very rarely exceed four, 

 and in but very few cases are less. Messrs. 

 Dresser and Sliarpe say the number is generally 

 five, sometimes four ; AVaterton says generally 

 five ; Macgillivray, usuall}^ four, or from three to 

 five. I have certainly heard of more than four ; 

 but although I have taken and examined a goodly 

 number of nests, I personally never saw more. 

 They vary in colour, some being greyish-green 

 with underlying markings of grey, and blotches 

 and spots of reddish-brown. Others are reddish- 

 grey in ground colour, with brownish-red markings, 

 which vary in size and distribution. Size about 

 1-3 by -88 in. 



Time. — February, March, April, Ma}', June, and 

 July. I have found them in every month but the 

 last. 



BemarLs. — Resident, but subject to southern 

 movement in winter. Song loud and defiant, but 

 not considered of much value by bird-fanciers, as 

 it is said to be melancholy and made up of five 

 or six broken strains ; alarm note, a jarring kind 

 of scream. Local and other names : Holm Thrush, 

 Storm Cock, Holm Screech, Mistletoe Thrush, 

 Missel Bird, Bell Throstle, Screech Thrush. Sits 

 pretty closely, and makes a great deal of demonstra- 

 tion when disturbed. 



THRUSH, SONG. Also Thrush or Common Thrush. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about eight 

 and a half inches. Bill of medium length, nearly 

 straight, and dusky. Irides hazel. Head, nape, 

 back, W'ings, rump, tail-coverts, and quills yellowish- 

 brown, spotted with darker brown on the sides 



