24 Om NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



Waterton tells of a tame magi^)ie which, being 

 allowed its freedom, and the use of its wings, 

 seized on a female missel-thnish which was attend- 

 ing to the family duties of the spring, and brought it 

 close to a spot where some masons where at work. 

 But the male storm- cock had love and courage, 

 and fought the magpie bravely, till his mate was 

 rescued, though at the expense of many feathers. 

 During the period of incubation, the female bird 

 fights in defence of the young as fiercely as her 

 mate, and both birds dash at the cat, the crow, or 

 any other enemy, till they succeed in driving it 

 away. In the season at which berries arc getting 

 somewhat scarce, and when the redwing and the 

 fieldfare come to claim tlieir share in the banquet, 

 it is most amusing to hear the angry chattering 

 which ensues, till the smaller birds have to leave 

 tlieir unfinished meal. ^Ir. Waterton describes 

 the sound made by the missel-thrushes when danger 

 is nigh, as resembling that produced by striking 

 the teeth of a comb smartly with the finger. 



The storm-cock is a decided dweller in trees, 

 except when it resorts to the beny bearing shrubs, 

 or when occasionally hunting for food on the 

 ground. The nest, which is built in April, is very 



