THRUSH KIND. 6<2l 



Summit of a tree. The missel is peculiarly distinguished, being 

 the largest British bird that has any harmony in its voice. All 

 that are of superior size having a screaming or croaking note ; 

 whence they are properly introduced by Thomson into the concert 

 of the rove, as if to supply a kind of bass or chorus to the smaller 

 warblers. Even the missel discovers its affinity to the superior 

 tribes, by the harsh screaming sound it utters, when moved by 

 anger or fear. It feeds upon holly and missletoe-berries, and in- 

 sects, and may be regarded as sovereign of the grove; for it 

 drives away from the coppice all the inferior species of the thrush 

 kind. 



2. Song Thrush, or Throstle. 

 Turdus mnsicus. Linn. 

 Quill-feA-Thers ferruginous at the inner base. Inhabits the 

 woods of Europe ; nine inches long ; builds in a low bush a nest 

 of earth, moss, and straw, plaistered with clay within ; lays five 

 or six pale blueish eggs with dusky spots. In France this bird is 

 migratory ; but remains in England during the whole year. It 

 arrives in France about the time of the vintage, when it frequently 

 feeds to excess on the juice of the ripe grape ; a circumstance 

 from which it has, in France, obtained also the name of the vine- 

 thrush. This bird is remarkably prolific, producing, in some 

 countries, no less than three different families in one season. Of 

 all the thrush kind it is the most accomplished singer ; and feeling 

 frequent returns of the amorous passion, which is the source of 

 all the harmony of the grove, it is said to sing during three quarters 

 of the year. When it begins to warble, it perches upon a high 

 branch of one of the tallest trees, from which it pours forth its 

 melody for hours together. Its song is composed of several notes, 

 which it has skill artfully to combine. From this superior com- 

 pass and modulation of voice, it has, in many countries, as well 

 as in our own, obtained a name indicative of its musical powers. 



This species of thrush is widely diffused over Europe. It is 

 frequent in Scotland, England, France, Germany, and Sweden. 

 Although timid, and apparently possessed of cunning, yet it does 

 not avoid the snares that are laid for it. There are some districts 

 in Poland where such numbers are caught that they are exported 

 toother countries. The quality of the flesh of this, as of all kinds 

 of birds, depends greatly on the food upon which it subsists. At 



