178 WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



does his utmost in the defence of his offspring. When 

 the young birds fall out of the nest (so soon as one has 

 clambered over the others quickly follow) the parents 

 rarely leave the orchard together. One or other is 

 almost always close at hand. If any enemy approaches 

 they immediately set up an angry chattering, by which 

 noise you may at once know what is going on. I have 

 seen two missel- thrushes attack a crow in this way. 

 The crow came and perched upon a bough within a 

 yard of their nest, which contained young. The old 

 birds were there immediately, and they so annoyed 

 and buffeted the murderous robber that he left with- 

 out achieving his fell purpose. 



The cat is tha worst enemy of the missel- thrush. It 

 is noticeable that while these thrushes will attack any- 

 thing that flies they are not so bold on the ground, 

 but seem afraid to alight. They will strike even at 

 the human hand that touches their nest. The crow, 

 strong as he is, they courageously drive away ; but 

 the enemy that stealthily approaches along the ground 

 to the helpless young bird in the grass they cannot 

 resist. On the wing they can retreat quickly if 

 pressed ; on the ground they cannot move so swiftly, 

 and may themselves fall a prey without affording any 

 assistance. The misselrthrushes come to the orchard 

 frequently after the nesting season is over and 

 before it commences. They do not seem in search 

 of food, but alight on the trees as if to view their 

 property. They are strong on the wing, and fly 

 direct to their object : there is something decided, 



