MISSKL THRUSH. 173 



tlie female are not quite so brilliant. Dr. Latham 

 mentions two varieties of this bird, one of them 

 reddish cream-colour, palest beneath, and the 

 belly white, spotted with cream-colour ; the other 

 white, spotted with brown on the under parts. 



The food of this species consists principally of 

 berries, of which those of the misseltoe are its 

 favourite, from whence the ancients supposed 

 that that plant could not vegetate without having 

 passed through its body ; but experience proves 

 the contrary : it w r ill also eat insects, and their 

 larva?, with which it feeds its young. It builds its 

 nest, which it is said to do twice a year, in the fork 

 of low trees, particularly those that are covered with 

 moss, of lichen, and coarse grass, woven together 

 with wool, and lined with fine dry grass: its eggs 

 are four or five in number, of a flesh-colour, varied 

 with deep and light rust-coloured spots, and weigh 

 somewhat more than two drachms. 



It is the largest of song birds, and frequently 

 Begins to sing with the new r year, if the weather 

 be mild ; but upon a diminution of temperature 

 below 40 degrees of the thermometer it ceases : 

 when the female commences to build, and during 

 incubation, it resumes it, until the young brood 

 make their appearance, when it becomes silent, and 

 is not heard again till the ensuing year, unless 

 the young be taken, or the female destroyed; 

 when it continues to sing throughout the summer : 

 its song is much louder but far inferior in melody 

 to that of the Song Thrush, or Throstle. 



This bird is very abundant in the west of England, 



