336 THE MISSEL THETJSH. 



frequents mountainous countries, and is noticed to prefer pine 

 to other woods. It is a bird of passage, though it does not 

 leave Thuringia till the middle of December, and returns in 

 February, as soon as the fine days begin. In the warm valley? 

 of Franconia, it is seen throughout the winter. In confine- 

 ment, a corner of the room partitioned off with a grating, or a 

 cage of any shape, but at least three feet and a half long, and 

 almost as high, must be assigned to it, as it is a large and wild 

 bird, always in motion, and soon injuring its plumage. It is 

 best to appropriate a separate apartment to this and other large 

 Cage-birds, as their dung has a very unpleasant smell, and 

 necessitates a daily cleaning and sweetening of the room. 



Food. When wild, their food consists principally of worms, 

 with which they feed their young, and various insects, col- 

 lected from the marshes and meadows. In autumn they eat 

 mistletoe, service, buckthorn, and juniper berries. 



In confinement they are not dainty, being exceedingly well 

 satisfied with the universal pastes. Crushed barley, or wheaten 

 bran, moistened with water, suits them very well, and is the 

 food on which fowlers feed these and other large birds, which 

 they keep in flocks for decoys, throughout the year. If it be 

 wished to improve their singing, they may be fed with meat, 

 bread, and whatever comes to table, none of which they will 

 refuse. They are also fond of bathing. 



Breeding. The nest of the Missel Thrush may be found in 

 the woods as early as March, built sometimes high, sometimes 

 low upon the tree. The outside is formed of dry stalks, 

 covered with lichen ; the next layer of moss, with the earth 

 still adhering to its roots ; the inmost of fine root fibres and 

 grass stalks. They breed twice a year ; the female laying each 

 time four greenish white eggs, thinly spotted with violet and 

 reddish brown. The young birds are grey on the upper part 

 of the body, and very much spotted on the belly, the wing 

 feathers having a broad edge of rusty yellow. They are not 

 so docile as the Blackbird; and besides their natural note, 

 learn to imitate only a few unconnected notes, which they are 

 in the habit of hearing constantly. They are to be fed with 

 bread, soaked in milk ; and become so tame, as to sing while 

 on the hand. 



Diseases. Those to which the Missel Thrush is most liable, 

 ^re the obstruction of the rump gland, constipation, and atrophy. 



