416 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



brown. Others are reddish-grey in ground-colour, 

 with brownish-red markings, which vary in size 

 and distribution. Size about 1.3 by .88 in. (See 

 Plate IV.) 



Time. February, March, April, May, June, and 

 July. I have found them in every month but the 

 last. 



Remarks. Resident, but subject to southern 

 movement in winter. Song loud and defiant, but 

 not considered of much value by bird-fanciers, as 

 it is somewhat melancholy and made up of five or 

 six broken strains ; alarm note, a jarring kind of 

 scream. Local and other names : Holm Thrush, 

 Storm Cock, Holm Screech, Mistletoe Thrush, Missel 

 Bird, Bell Throstle, Screech Thrust. Sits pretty 

 closely, and makes a great deal of demonstration 

 when disturbed. 



A brave Missel Thrush has been known to attack 

 a weasel in defence of its young, and perish for its 

 temerity. I once saw a bird of this species dash 

 at a stuffed owl fixed in a tree near her nest. 



YOUNG MISSEL THRUSHES. 



