J 2 THE BIRDS OF BERKS AND BUCKS 



Order II.— INSESSORES. 



Tn^^— Dentirostres. Family — Merulid^. 



Missel Thrush [TnrdiLS viscivoms). Local names, 

 Mistletoe TJirush, Stormcock. This large Thrush 

 is exceedingly common in both counties, and is 

 one of our earliest breeders. Except in the nesting- 

 season, it is a very wild bird, but at that period it 

 shakes off all fear, and approaches the habitations of 

 man. I have found newly built nests of this bird as 

 early as the end of March, and eggs are frequently 

 taken early in April. 



It usually builds its nest high in a tree, frequently 

 in a hollow formed by the junction of two or more 

 branches; I have, however, found a nest in a low 

 hedge about three feet from the ground, in the park 

 near Ditton House. Though not so often observed 

 at other seasons of the year, in spring it may be 

 frequently seen. On the approach of an intruder 

 it will usually set up a loud screeching, and has been 

 known to attack a cat which had ventured too near 

 its nest. 



One of the bird's local names, ' Stormcock,' has 



