THE BIRDS OF KENT. 



Order PASSEBES. 



Family TURDID^. 



Genus TURDUS, Lmn?eus. 



THEUSHE8. 



S0NG-BIKD8. 



MISSEL-THEUSH. 



Turdus viscivonis, Linnaeus. Syst. Nat., i., 

 p. 291 (176G). 



Missel-Thrush, Mistletoe-Thrush, Misseltoe- 

 Thrush and Stormcock. 



This large and conspicuous Thrush is by no means so 

 abundant in any part of the county as the Song-Thrush, 

 and although plentiful, its obscure grey colouring some- 

 what protects it from the ordinary observer, but its size 

 when seen always attracts attention. It is most notice- 

 able during the autumn and winter, when the trees are 

 destitute of foliage, then the Missel-Thrush may be 

 observed in large numbers. No doubt a great many go 

 south and leave the county ; for towards the end of 

 October they have greatly diminished in numbers, but 

 increase again towards the end of March and the early 

 part of April. The Missel-Thrush has been heard singing 

 as early as February 26. Although a wild and shy bird 

 1 



