I observed in my garden, that several magpies came 

 determined to storm the nest of a missel-thrush : 

 the dams defended their mansion with great vigour, 

 and fought resolutely for " their faith and for their 

 homes: " pro arts et focis; but numbers at last pre- 

 vailed, they tore the nest to pieces, and swallowed 

 the young alive. 



[Thrushes during long droughts are of great serv- 

 ice in hunting out shell-snails,* which they pull in 

 pieces for their young, and are thereby very service- 

 able in gardens. Missel-thrushes do not destroy the 

 fruit in gardens like the other species of turdi, but 

 feed on the berries and mistletoe, and in the spring 

 on ivy-berries, which then begin to ripen. f In the 

 summer, when their young become fledged, they 

 leave neighbourhoods, and retire to sheep-walks and 

 wild commons. This species of thrush, though wild 

 at other times, delights to build near houses, and in 

 frequented walks and gardens.] 



* Of the truth of this I have been an eye-witness, having seen the 

 common thrush feeding on the shell-snail. — Markwick. 



f In the very early part of this spring (1797) a bird of this species 

 used to sit every morning on the top of some very high elms close by 

 my windows, and delight me with its charming song, attracted thither, 

 probably, by some ripe ivy-berries that grew near the place. 



I have remarked something like the latter fact, for I remember 

 many years ago, seeing a pair of these birds fly up repeatedly and 

 attack some larger bird, which I supposed disturbed their nest in my 

 orchard, uttering at the same time violent shrieks. Since writing the 

 above, I have seen more than once a pair of these birds attack some 

 magpies that had disturbed their nest, with great violence and loud 

 shrieks. — Markwick. 



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