182 MERULID.E. 



from whence it derives its most common name : the germi- 

 nation of the seeds is accelerated by the warmth and mois- 

 ture of the body of the bird. The flesh of the Thrushes 

 generally is eatable ; and in some species it is excellent. 



The Missel Thrush is well known in our southern coun- 

 ties to the Land's-end ; it is found also in Wales, as has 

 been already noticed ; and, according to Mr. Thompson, 

 though formerly rare in Ireland, it is now common and in- 

 digenous to Ulster. North of London, it is found in Essex, 

 Suffolk, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Northumberland, Durham, and 

 probably all the midland counties ; and, as observed by 

 Mr. Selby, this bird is rapidly increasing in numbers still 

 farther to the northward ; but I do not find it quoted as 

 an inhabitant of the islands west or north of Scotland. It 

 nevertheless inhabits Scandinavia and Russia, but does not 

 reach Siberia. It is found in Germany, France, Provence, 

 and Italy. In this country, and in the central portions of 

 Europe, the Missel Thrush is resident all the year; but 

 it leaves both Italy and Scandinavia during the winter. 



The beak of this bird is dark brown ; the under mandible 

 pale yellow at the base ; the irides hazel ; the top of the 

 head, and almost all the upper surface of the body, nearly 

 uniform clove brown : wings and wing-coverts umber brown ; 

 the latter broadly edged with wood brown ; the wing-fea- 

 thers with a narrow edge of the same colour ; upper surface 

 of the tail-feathers umber brown ; the broad inner web of 

 each outside tail-feather with a patch of dull white ; the 

 second feather on each side with a smaller patch at the tip ; 

 the tail slightly forked : all the under surflice of the body 

 white, tinged with yellow, and covered with numerous black 

 spots ; those on the front of the neck triangular in shape, 

 with one angle pointing upwards ; the spots on the breast, 

 belly, and sides are round ; under surface of the wings and 

 tail grey ; tarsi and toes pale brown ; the claws dark brown. 



