THE MISSEL-THRUSH. 35 



the nests of this bird, and found the eggs in all stages of 

 development, yet not in one single solitary instance have 

 I found the eggs of this bird to exceed four in number : 

 the eggs of the Missel -thrush, therefore, I should 

 say but rarely exceed this number. They vary con- 

 siderably in shape, size, and markings ; some specimens 

 are pear-shaped, others almost round, and great dis- 

 parity of size may be often noted in the eggs of the 

 same nest. Some eggs are bluish-green in ground 

 colour, with a zone of purple and reddish-brown spots ; 

 others have a much deeper ground colour, mottled all 

 over with light and dark brown and purple blotches ; in 

 others the colouring matter is collected on the larger 

 end. I have found eggs of this bird not sat upon in 

 June, and known the young able to fly by the latter end 

 of April : from this I would infer that two broods are 

 reared in the year. You can seldom examine the nest 

 of the Missel-thrush in quietness, save when but one or 

 two eggs are deposited, for when the full complement is 

 laid, and the birds commence to sit, they seem priceless 

 to them. As they approach maturity they are still more 

 anxious, and when their young are depending upon 

 them for safety and sustenance, the old birds care but 

 little for their own security, and with harsh cries and 

 pugnacious motions endeavour to drive away all in- 

 truders. Pugnacious motions are the protective wiles 

 this bird displays, and when you approach their nests 

 the old birds fly round your head, uttering their grating 

 cries, and endeavour by their boldness to drive you 

 away. Magpies and Jays, and even the Sparrow-hawk, 

 fare but badly if the Missel- thrushes attack them in 

 defence of their eggs or young. Those persons who 

 would have us believe that the song of the male bird is 

 given forth to cheer his sitting mate, must certainly find 



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