BIRDS. 237 



The missel-thrush is distinguished from all of the kind by its su. 

 perior size, being much larger than any of them. It differs scarcely 

 m 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 



excited to watch the motions of the birds more narrowly ; for they began to 

 suspect that the male and female were both implicated in this issue and 

 entry. Upon the joists of the slied were placed iilong with some timber for 

 BgT'icultural purposes and old implements, two small harrows, \ised for 

 ^rass-seeds, laid one above the other ; and they were soon aware that their 

 new companions were employed with all the diligence of their kind in mak. 

 ing their nest in this singular situation. They had built it, he said, between 

 one of the butts of the harrow and the adjoining tooth ; and by that time, 

 about seven o'clock, and an hour after he and his lads had commenced their 

 work, the birds had made such progress, that they must have begun by the 

 break of day. Of course, he did not fail to remark the future proceedings 

 of his new friends. Their activity was incessant ; and he noticed that they 

 began to carry mortar (he said), which he aud his companions well knew 

 Wiis for pliistoring the inside. Late in the same afternoon, and at six o'clock 

 ne.'it morning, when the lads and he entered the shed, the first thing they 

 did was to look at the mavis's nest, wliich they were surprised to find occupied 

 by one of the birds, while the other plied its unwearied toil. At last the 

 sitting bird, or hen, as they now called her, left the nest likewise ; and lie 

 ordered one of the apprentices to climb the baulks, who called out that she 

 had laid an egg ; and this she had been compelled to do some time before 

 the nest was finished ; only plastering the bottom, which could not have 

 been done so well afterwards. When all was finished, the cock took his 

 share in the hatching ; but he did not sit so long as the hen, aud he often 

 fed her while she wiis upon the nest. In thirteen days the young birds were 

 out of the shells, which the old ones always carried oft'." 



Grahame, in liis Birds of Scotland, gives, as usual, a very exact account 

 of the localities chosen by the song-thrush, though he is wrong in thinking 

 the nest lined with loam. 



" In the hazel bush or sloe is formed 

 The habitation of the wedded pair. 

 Sometimes below the never-fading leaves 

 Of ivy-close, that overtwisting binds. 

 And richly crowns, witli clustered fruit of spring. 

 Some river rock, or nodding castle wall ; 

 Sometimes beneath the jutting root of elm. 

 Or oak, among the sprigs, tliat overhang 

 A pebble chiding stream, the lonm-Uned house 

 Is fixed, well hid from ken of hovering hawk. 

 Or lurking bea.st, or school-boy's prowling eye." 



Syme, on the other hand, says, the thrush " displays little nigennity in 

 concealing its nest ; it is therefore easily found, and thence becomes an easy 

 prey to boys, cats, and weasels. Both male and female are employed in con- 

 structing the nest, which is placed in a hedge or bush pretty near Uie 



