1646 



THE PERCHING BIRDS 



In districts where magpies are numerous it often builds its nest in a bush or low tree 

 close to a cottage, as though recognizing a certain protection in the neighborhood 

 of man. The nest is built of stems of dry grass, moss, and vegetable fibres, often 

 trimmed externally with gray lichens; the eggs being grayish green in ground color, 

 spotted with chocolate. During the breeding season the missel thrush exercises 

 a watchful surveillance over the orchard or garden in which its nest is built, boldly 



SONG THRUSH AND RING OUSEL. 

 (One-half natural size. ) 



mobbing jackdaws and even larger intruders, if they attempt to rob its belongings. 

 The old birds exhibit much devotion to their young, and will permit of a very close 

 approach while feeding them. When the young are fledged, they gather into family 

 parties, which scour the country in search of new feeding grounds. The song of 

 the storm cock, as it is frequently called, can be heard to the best advantage on a 

 stormy day in springtime, when the bird sends forth his loud sonorous notes, as 



