MISSEL THRUSH 



MISSELTOE THRUSH STORM-COCK MISSEL-BIRD SHRITE 

 SHRIKE-COCKHOLM THRUSH. 



PLATE XCVIII. 

 Turdus viscivorus, ..... LINNVEUS. 



"^HE Missel Thrush nests very early, often commencing 

 A even in February, and nests with eggs have been found 

 early in March. 



The nest, which is a loose structure, is a compilation of 

 twigs, small sticks, straws, grasses, leaves, lichens, wool, or 

 mosses, compacted inwardly with mud, intermingled with 

 still smaller roots, finer grasses, and moss, or indeed any soft 

 material, feathers in some cases, frequently with grass alone ; 

 sometimes the outside is partly covered with lichens and 

 mosses, the former taken from or resembling those on the 

 tree itself, to which they consequently give the fabric veri- 

 similitude. The width is about four inches and a half, the 

 depth two and three fourths, and the thickness of the sides 

 an inch and three quarters. Mr. Hewitson mentions a nest 

 of which the foundation was of mud, strongly cemented to 

 and nearly encirling the branches between which it was fixed. 

 This material appears to be occasionally used a little with 

 the lining. It is often placed in very exposed situations in 

 the hollow caused by the divergence of the branches from 



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