74 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



appeared as much at home amidst the sound of the 

 billows, as it would amongst the foam and splash of the 

 the torrent, in its mountainous and more usual haunts. 



TURDUS VISCIVORUS, Linnaeus. 



MISSEL-THEUSH. 



The Missel-Thrush is undoubtedly one of those 

 resident species whose numbers, through the attractive 

 shelter of our large plantations, have greatly increased 

 of late years. It is common enough in our gardens and 

 orchards during the breeding season, noisily and 

 boldly defending its nest and young against feathered 

 marauders, or even man himself, often dashing at the 

 head and face of the intruder in the most determined 

 manner. Yet this very bird, which, like the rook and 

 wood-pigeon, draws near to our homes for nesting 

 purposes, is at other times amongst the most difficult of 

 approach ; indeed, I have often thought that the term 

 missel, said to have originated in its fondness for mistletoe 

 berries, might, with a very little alteration in spelling 

 (mizzle), as appropriately indicate its wary nature. In 

 autumn and winter we see them in considerable flocks, 

 scattered over the grass lands, in parks and pastures, 

 or feeding on the various berries at that season, and it is 

 not improbable, although at present I have no direct 

 proof of the fact, that their numbers are increased at 

 such times by migratory arrivals from the north. I 

 believe that in many cases these birds, congregated 

 together, are mistaken by ordinary observers for field- 

 fares, and hence many of the stories of the early 

 appearance of those winter visitants. In this county, 

 also, the term "dow fulfer," in allusion to its large 

 size, is commonly applied to the missel-thrush. A 



