OUR IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



MISSEL THRUSH. 

 Tardus viscivorus ; Merle Draine ; Mistel Drossel. 



STORM COCK ; Holm Thrush ; Holm Screech ; Pen-y- 

 Llwyn, " Master of the Coppice ; " Jay ; Big Felt. 



Bill, dark brown ; space between bill and eyes, 

 greyish-white ; head, neck, and nape, greyish-brown ; 

 chin, throat, and breast, yellowish-white, with deep 

 brown spots ; outer tail feathers tipped with white. 

 Length, eleven inches. 



The Missel Thrush may be distinguished from the 

 Song Thrush by its superior size and higher, bolder 

 flight, which is somewhat undulating, three or four beats 

 of the wing being followed by a pause. Most people 

 imagine that but one kind of Thrush is to be met with 

 in Ireland, and they are greatly surprised when they 

 are informed that no fewer than six different species of 

 Thrushes may be reckoned in our Irish fauna. The 

 Missel Thrush is usually confounded with the Song 

 Thrush, or, if not, called, as it is most frequently in the 

 country, the Jay or the Big Felt, it is supposed not to 



