MISSEL THRUSH. _ 4) 
rafters of the workmen had been inserted, there being a small, 
round hole left in the exposed side for exit and ingress. Others 
may be seen in cavities ina rock by the water-side; and one T 
heard of, if my memory 1s correct, in Berwickshire, was built 
amid the stone-work of a water-lead for conducting the waste 
water away from a mill, and in such a position that the water in 
- its fall projected itself beyond the nest, and formed a kind of arch 
above it. The old birds in going into or leaving their nest had 
actually to pass in either from the side or through the interstices 
of the small cascade. The eggs are five or six in number, and per- 
fectly, purely white. A sad enemy to fish spawn I fear my little 
white-breasted friend is. I never yet cared to shoot one, I love 
them so well. But when there are half-a-dozen small but very 
hungry Dipper-mouths to be fed, I fear much consumption of 
fishes’ food, as well as fishes’ eggs, takes place. It is able to 
walk, though with much effort, under water, as well as dive and 
swim ; and I have often seen them, on coming to the surface in 
a quiet pool, remain perfectly quiescent and floating for several 
seconds.— Fig. 8, plate II. 
40. MISSEL THRUSH—(furdus viscivorus). 
Misseltoe Thrush, Missel-bird, Stormcock, Screech Thrush, 
Holm Thrush, Holm Screech.—A handsome bird and an early 
builder. The Missel Thrush seems to lay aside some of its wildness 
in the breeding season, and draws near the dwellings of men. Its 
nest may continually be found in a garden or orchard close to a 
house, and in the thick fork of an apple or other fruit tree, often 
only a few feet from the ground. Woe be to the Cat who comes 
near the nest! Such a storm of violent abuse and loud-tongued . 
birds’ Billingsgate as is poured on her devoted head! Nor does the 
human intruder escape quite without a telling of it, or what my — 
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