TURDUS VISCIVOHOUS 3 



former tactics. In addition to worms, snails, and insects of different 

 sorts, the Mistle-Thrush feeds to a g;reat extent upon various berries, 

 and, when in season, the fruit of the wild olive in Tunisia forms an 

 important item in its diet. Although no doubt the berry of the 

 mistletoe, in those countries where this parasitic plant flourishes, is 

 eaten by this Thrush, as well as by others of the family, it could 

 never have constituted a very important part of the bird's food, but 

 nevertheless, both the scientific name of the species, as well as some 

 of its trivial names, seem to have had their origin in the popular 

 supposition of this berry having a particular attraction for the bird. 



Though non-gregarious during the greater part of the year, the 

 species in autumn seems to become more sociable, and may then be 

 seen consorting together in fairly large numbers, feeding in company 

 in fields, and distributed in open order over the ground. The flight 

 of this Thrush," when rising from the ground, is rather heavy, but 

 when well on the wing it attains considerable velocity. Its alarm 

 note, sure to be heard when the bird is disturbed, is a low grating 

 churr, at times degenerating into a harsh scream, but its song, which 

 has the advantage of being one of the earliest to be heard in the year, 

 and consequently the more appreciated, is pleasing and full of power. 

 When nesting, Mistle-Thrushes become very bold, and will courage- 

 ously attack and put to flight birds much larger and stronger than 

 themselves, should their eggs or young broods be menaced. In 

 The Zoologist for 1903 (p. 129), Mr. J. H. Gurney, in some 

 interesting ornithological notes from Norfolk, writes as follows: — 



" May 8th. — Mr. Watson, of Letton, saw a Mistle-Thrush actually 

 strike and kill a Jackdaw as it was circling round the tree which 

 contained the Thrush's nest. They are strong birds, and I have often 

 been threatened by them in the most determined manner when near 

 a nest, both male and female dashing round with loud cries. A few 

 days ago my nephew put a Barn-Owl off her eggs, when immediately 

 a pugnacious Mistle-Thrush knocked her quite off the bough on which 

 she had perched, and which was probably near its own nest." 



Authors appear to differ as to the species being of a pacific or 

 quarrelsome nature, but the balance of opinion seems to be in favour 

 of the latter being the case, and instances of its pugnacity, even out of 

 the breeding season, are not wanting. The bird also enjoys the 

 unenviable reputation of occasionally preying upon the young of 

 other species of birds. 



