THRUSHES 



Yarrell includes nine species of this family in 

 the British list. Of these, White's, the Black- 

 throated and the Rock Thrushes are the rarest of 

 stray visitors. 



The inclusion of White's Thrush rests upon about 

 eight occurrences. Of the Black-throated Thrush 

 a single example is noted, and of the Rock Thrush 

 three, one only of which, the bird now figured in 

 Yarrell's British Birds, can be regarded as well 

 attested. 



Of the six remaining species five may be regarded 

 as familiar tree-loving birds, the Ring Ouzel alone 

 neglecting the woodlands to find a haunt amidst 

 rocks and heathery places. 



The name of the Mistle Thrush has been the 

 subject of many learned treatises. Even now, no 

 united opinion appears to have been arrived at by 

 the authorities. Saunders uses the word ?^listle, 

 and Eagle Clarke, Missel, whilst Yarrell and Lil- 

 ford adopt the full title of Mistletoe Thrush. As all 

 the names are derived from the plant upon which 

 the bird feeds, the last is probably correct. Still, 

 seeing that popular usage has sanctified the abbre- 

 viation, we adopt it here, and as the ancient spelling 

 of misseltoe has now been changed to mistletoe, we 

 take mistle as the better of the two shortened forms. 



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