166 THRUSHES. 



Thrush; 2. Fieldfare; 3. Song-Thrush; 4. Redwing; 5. Ring- 

 Ousel ; 6. Blackbird ; and 7. Water Ousel or Dipper. 



The first of these, the Missel-Thrush, is not only the largest, 

 but the finest and boldest of the family, and has some claims 

 to our esteem, from its being the earliest song-bird of the 

 year ; often favouring us with its notes at a season when 

 every other bird slinks away to its hiding-place, glad to 

 escape the inclemency of the weather. In the height of a 

 heavy gale of wind, the Missel-Thrush may be seen braving 

 the blast, perched on the quivering branch of some tall tree ; 

 hence it has gained the name of the Storm- Cock. It is, more- 

 over, a gallant bird ; and during the breeding season, woe be 

 to the Jackdaw or Magpie that ventures to cast a wistful eye 

 at its eggs : nay, more, we have known it attack even a Hawk, 

 and fairly drive him from the neighbourhood. 



The Redwing and Fieldfare are but visitants : their summers 

 are passed in far-distant northern regions, where they rear, 

 unmolested and unseen by man, those immense flights which 

 frequent our fields and forests in the winter season. It is 

 generally supposed that they are hardy birds ; but the very 

 reverse is the case, for, in severe weather, should there be a 

 dearth of food, they are the first to suffer. In hard winters, 

 when sudden falls of snow have deprived them of their usual 

 supply, thousands have been known to perish on the coast, 

 unable, through weakness, to take flight for a more southern 

 climate. In January 18 15, when a heavy fall of snow fell 

 on the 19th, and remained one deep white mantle over the 

 face of the country till the 29th, during which time the ther- 

 mometer, even at noon, rarely rose above the freezing-point, 

 we recollect finding dead Redwings in greater numbers than 

 any other birds. They are naturally remarkably shy, but 

 hunger soon makes them tame, as many a Christmas school- 

 boy knows; when, if the weather is mild, he in vain en- 

 deavours to get a shot at a chattering party, temptingly 

 perched on a naked bough; whereas, should a severe frost 

 set in, they seem to invite his approach, and allow him to 

 take a steady aim within a few yards. Our common Song- 



