MISSEL THRUSH. 



TURDUS VISCIVORUS. 



Family Passerid^. Sub-family Turdin^. Genus Turdus. 



Misseltoe Thrush — Storm Cock — Holm Thrush — Shrite — 

 Missel Bird— Shrike Cock. 



This handsome bird — the Storm Cock, as it is some- 

 tin}f s called, because it may be seen perched upon the 

 top of some high bough pouring out its wild, half-heard 

 song through the driving storm in the early spring — is 

 through the greater part of the year one of the shiest 

 ar ' wariest of birds. In the breeding season, however, 

 it seems to lay aside all fear, and frequently chooses 

 for its nesting site a spot in a garden close to some 

 dwelling. The orchard is a favourite place, in the fork 

 of some apple tree, or on an outlying bough of a fruit 

 tree away from the trunk, but never placed in the 

 more slender twigs. I have seen the nest built and a 

 brood reared in one of the compartments of an old 

 disused pigeon-cot. No effort seems to be made at 

 concealment, the nest often being overlooked from its 

 very conspicuousness. The bird becomes very angry 

 and abusive when its nest is approached, and has 



I 



