260 HISTORY OF 



The Missel-thrush is distinguished from all of 

 the kind by its superior size, being much larger 

 than any of them. It differs scarcely in any 

 other respect from the throstle, except that the 

 spots on the breast are larger. It builds its nest 

 in bushes, or on the side of some tree, as all of 

 this kind are found to do, and lays four or five 

 eggs in a season. Its song is very fine, which it 

 begins in spring, sitting on the summit of a high 

 tree. It is the largest bird of all the feathered 

 tribe that has music in its voice ; the note of all 

 greater birds being either screaming, chattering, 

 or croaking. It feeds on insects, holly and mis- 

 tletoe berries ; and sometimes sends forth a very 

 disagreeable scream when frighted or disturbed. 



The Blackbird, which in cold countries, and 

 particularly upon the Alps, is sometimes seen all 

 over white, is a beautiful and canorous bird, 

 whistling all the spring and summer time with a 

 note at a distance the most pleasing of all the 

 grove. It is the deepest toned warbler of the 

 woods ; but it is rather unpleasant in a cage, 

 being loud and deafening. It lays four or five 

 bluish eggs, in a nest usually built at the stump 

 of some old hawthorn, well plastered on the in- 

 side with clay, straw, and hair. 



Pleasing, however, as this bird may be, the 

 Blue-bird, described by Bellonius, is in every res- 

 pect far superior. This beautiful animal entirely 

 resembles a blackbird in all but its blue colour. 

 It lives in the highest parts of the Alps, and even 

 there chooses the most craggy rocks and the most 

 frightful precipices for its residence. As it is 



