THE MISSEL THRUSH. 



185 



of garden-snails, the shells of which it breaks with much 

 dexterity. In the south of Europe it feeds largely at the 



it 



vintage season on ripe gi-apes ; and its flesh then acquires 

 a flavour which renders it much esteexiied by epicures. 



Another well-known species is the Missel Thrush, which 

 is a permanent resident in Britain ; though considerable 

 flocks arrive every October, to leave us in the following 

 May. It flies about in little companies of fifteen to twenty, 

 searching for seeds, worms, and larvae in the open fields. 

 In the winter its food is principally berries, and especially 

 tJie berries of the mistletoe. It is not a good singer, but 

 before a gale or a snowstorm always raises aloud its strong 

 sharp voice, as if to sound a signal of alarm. 



