MISSEL THRUSH REDWING. 31 



into large flocks, the great numbers of which occasionally 

 induces us to believe that large accessions are received at 

 that season from more northern latitudes. Depending princi- 

 pally for existence upon the berries of the hawthorn, dur- 

 ing winter we may frequently observe thirty or forty missel 

 thrushes amongst the boughs, accompanied with redwings ; 

 the missel thrushes expressing satisfaction at intervals, by ut- 

 tering their hoarse, grakle-like call-note. 



Few localities are more frequented than the old hawthorn 

 woods in the Phoenix Park, where they congregate in great 

 numbers from the " watch and ward" extended to them by 

 the keepers. 



Exceeding in size our European song-birds, the song of the 

 missel thrush is very beautiful ; and although it may not 

 equal the deep mellowness of the blackbird, or the more va- 

 ried notes of the thrush, yet it is one of the wildest in its 

 character, and at the same time softest in its modulation of 

 the various songs for which the entire family is remarkable. 



Well known for the habit of singing immediately preceding 

 a storm or high wind, it has obtained, in some parts of the coun- 

 try, the appellation " storm cock." But even beautiful as is 

 the song then, it is far exceeded by the combined melody of 

 a flock, perhaps consisting of eighty or a hundred birds, all 

 singing in harmonious unison, as if murmuring some low, 

 sweet melody, which comes more acceptable to us at a season 

 when snow and frost hold every thing confined. 



Timid in disposition, during the season of incubation it 

 becomes courageous and determined in defence of its young, 

 and scruples not to attack any marauding magpie suspected 

 to possess sinister designs upon its progeny. 



Indigenous. 



SPECIES 30. THE REDWING. 



Turdus iliacus. Linn. 



Merle mauvis. Temm. 



Swinepipe. Felt. 



THE REDWING might be mistaken for the song thrush, to 

 which it bears a considerable resemblance, were it not for a 

 broad white streak over the eye, by which it may be at 

 once distinguished. Occurring with us in very considerable 

 numbers during winter, on the approach of spring, they 

 again betake themselves to their native wilds in Norway. 

 Similar in habits to the missel thrush, with which they asso- 

 ciate in flocks, the redwing, perhaps, of the two species, ex- 



