76 THE MISSEL-THRUSH. 



THE MISSEL-THRUSH. MERULA VISCIVOKA, 



- Turdus viscivorus, Linn Merula viscivora, 



Selby Merle draine, Temm. Missel- Thrush 



of British authors. The Missel-Thrush is at 

 the present time pretty generally distributed 

 over England and the southern portion of 

 Scotland, living in the latter in pairs, in the 

 richer woodland parts ; yet neither so abundant, 

 nor prevailing so equally and indiscriminately, 

 as the common Song Thrush or Blackbird. We 

 would consider it naturally a forest bird, but 

 here it also frequents the borders of the wood, 

 or the orchards and gardens situated in a well- 

 clothed district. We believe that in England, 

 and particularly in the northern counties, it has 

 increased in abundance ; and in its Scotch locali- 

 ties, within the last fifteen years, it has, from being 

 a rare bird, become one of frequent occurrence. 

 Out of Europe, it extends to Asia, and we 

 possess specimens from the Himalayan range, 

 varying in no respect. They pair very early, arid 

 the male begins to attempt his song often ere the 

 winter's storm has commenced ; this year (1839> 

 .e was heard warbling his low and pensive notes 

 so early as 5th January. During the whole breed- 

 ing season, they are bold defenders of their terri- 

 tory, suffering no intruder to approach without 

 every attempt being made to defend their nest 

 Magpies and carrion crows are severe assailant^ 

 though both are often successfully engaged ; bu. 

 tli *ir most troublesome enemy, where there hap 



