2 MISSEL THRUSH. 



and unmusical often brought against it, as in the following extract 

 from Knapp's " Journal of a Naturalist," is surely unmerited. 

 Loud, bold, and clear its song is, but surely not harsh. Indeed 

 it may be suspected, that some of his most tuneful strains are 

 attributed by mistake to his congener the Song Thrush, because no 

 one gives the Missel Thrush credit for such music. 



" The approach of a sleety snow storm, following a deceitful 

 gleam in spring, is always announced to us by the loud untuneful 

 voice of the Missel Thrush, as it takes its stand on some tall tree, 

 like an enchanter calling up the gdXo.'' ^Jourtial of a Naturalist. 



In Wales the Missel Thrush has acquired the name of " Pen- 

 y-llwyn," or master of the coppice." When he takes to a Yew, or 

 Holly tree laden with berries, he will drive off all other birds with 

 noisy, angry vociferations, and returns himself again and again, 

 until he has eaten them all. 



He will remain singing for hours together, out-whistling the 

 wind, and heeding not the pelting storm. 



On pinion stout, I fear no harm, 

 Though stem and branch around me break ; 

 And I sing in the midst of the wildest storm 

 That makes the forest shake. 



Evans— /%n^s of the Birds. 



Mr. Evans well describes the bitter instinctive enmity between 

 the Mistletoe Thrush and the Jay, " handed down no doubt tradi- 

 tionally from generation to generation." When the Jay approaches 

 the Thrush's nest to steal the eggs or young birds, the Missels 

 attack him at once, "with a fury and courage worthy of the Falcons 

 themselves," and with so much noise and clamour, that it is well, 

 perhaps, that bird language is not fully understood. Mr. Evans 

 gives a curious instance of revenge taken by some Mistletoe 

 Thrushes near Burton Court, who attacked and killed some half- 

 fledged young Jays, sitting on the edge of their nest during the 

 absence of the parent birds. 



The food of the Missel Thrush in Spring consists of worms, 

 snails, grubs, and insects, and, as Summer and Autumn come on. 



