20 OUR NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



planted within us, and to which He has tuned the 

 rich symphonies of Nature. 



It is in the winter woods, and when sunshine 

 succeeds to some days of bad weather, tliat we 

 hear the sweetest notes of the missel-thrush* 

 [Turdus viscivorus). The song is not peculiar to 

 winter or early spring, hut is sung nearly 

 throughout the year. Perched on the very 

 summit of the gnarled oak, or on the taller elm, 

 the loud plaintive tones are carolled vigorously. 

 Sometimes the strain seems to consist of three or 

 four notes, incessantly repeated, nor is it ever 

 very varied ; but there are seasons when it is rich 

 and clear, and it is then often mistaken for the 

 tones of the blackbird. When the song is loudest 

 and harshest, it is regarded as an indication of 

 approaching rough weather; hence the bird is 

 called storm-cock in some country places, and its 

 presage is relied on as surely by the countrymen, 

 as that of the mist on the mountain, wliicli 



* The Missel-thnisli is eleven inches in length. The head an(l 

 upper parts are deep brown ; the wings and tail umber-brown ; 

 the whole under parts yellowish white, thickly studded with black 

 spots, of which those on the throat and breast are triangular, and 

 those on the belly and sides are round ; the beak and feet are 

 brown, the former darker than the latter; the tail is slightly 

 forked. 



