THE MISSEL-THRUSH. 37 



September we see them in considerable flecks. But as 

 the year begins to wane and the sun enters the southern 

 tropic, these birds, from at present an unknown cause, 

 again separate, and are seen solitary or in little parties. 

 They are very wild at this particular season, probably 

 more so than at any other time of the year. They 

 frequent the turnip lands and newly-ploughed lands 

 at this time, feeding on the insects and worms, and seek- 

 ing the grass land for slugs, taking wing the instant 

 danger threatens, flying from tree to tree, uttering their 

 harsh and grating cries both when at rest and when fly- 

 ing through the air. In the winter months Missel- 

 thrushes congregate to some extent with the Fieldfares, 

 and roam about from one place to another in search of 

 food. It is seldom now they come near man's habitation 

 save when hard pressed for food : then, however, we see 

 them on the hawthorn trees, or regaling themselves upon 

 the berries of the service tree. 



A word as to the Missel-thrush feeding on the berries 

 of the mistletoe. Popular opinion regards this waxen 

 berry as the staple food of the ' Stormcock,' but as far 

 as my own observations extend I consider that such is 

 not the case. Here the mistletoe grows in abundance 

 on the poplar trees, and the ' Stormcocks ' abound in all 

 directions, yet I never see them feeding on the berries, 

 nor can I find traces of them in the stomachs of the 

 birds. Hence I am led to believe that the berry is 

 not sought after so closely as is generally supposed. 

 Hawthorn berries, and the fruit of the service trees, 

 seem to be preferred ; and he who would wish to en- 

 courage this noble bird, and have his domain enlivened 

 in the winter months by his wild and powerful notes, 

 will do well to cultivate these trees. When- I see the 

 mountain ash and service tree expanding their lovely 



