30 OUR RESIDENT BIRDS 



Nest. April onwards. Two broods. 



Site. In natural depression in the ground, in cart -rut, 

 &c. Always well sheltered by growing herbage. 



Materials. Dry grass, bents, and moss, lined with 

 fine grass, fibres, and hair. 



Eggs. Four to five. Dull white, thickly mottled and 

 clouded with olive-brown ; often zoned ; variable. 



MISSEL THRUSH (Turdus viscivorus). 



Found throughout Great Britain ; less common 

 towards the North. Abundant in Ireland. 



Observation. Our largest Thrush, in appearance 

 greyer than Song Thrush. 



Plumage. Upper parts greyish olive-brown ; under 

 parts buffish white with dark fan-shaped spots ; under 

 wing-coverts white, conspicuous in flight, as are also the 

 white tips to tail feathers. Bill dark brown. Legs pale 

 brown. Length n in. Female rather lighter than male. 

 Young, under parts buff, which in adult become buffish 

 white. 



Language. Song, loud, wild, disconnected, and abrupt; 

 may be heard almost throughout the winter (hence 

 Stormcock) ; when alarmed it utters angry screeches 

 (hence Screech Thrush). Call-note, "tuc," several times 

 repeated. 



Habits. On the ground the movements are rapid, with 

 moments of motionless attention. Flight strong but 

 undulating ; when disturbed from nest it becomes 

 extremely excited, and noisy, dashing wildly about, 

 and almost buffeting the intruder with its wings. Usually 

 shy, but often assumes more temerity at breeding time. 



Food. Snails, slugs, worms, insects, and their larvae. 

 In winter berries of various kinds, especially those of 

 the mountain-ash and holly (hence Holm-screech), and 

 mistletoe (hence Mistletoe Thrush). Small soft fruits 

 in season. 



