276 INSECTIVOR^E. 



That is the only season during which even a small flock of 

 these birds assemble in peace ; for, during the busy time, the 

 males are as pugnacious towards each other, on the score both 

 of partners and pastures, as they are resolute in defending 

 their families from predatory birds. 



East winds, whether they waft the cold humidity of the 

 fen or come withering with drought, are equally unfavourable 

 to the food, and consequently to the presence, of the missel- 

 thrush. It is accordingly less plentiful on the east coast than 

 on the south and west, and in that zone which has been men- 

 tioned as particularly favourable to birds that feed on the 

 larger insects. But improved cultivation has brought it to 

 many places in which it was formerly unknown ; and a con- 

 tinuation of the same will extend it. The larger snails, 

 nemoralis, hortensis, and aspersa, and a variety of others^ are 

 always concomitants of the missel-thrush, and those snails 

 are somewhat dainty, and will not eat the austere produce of 

 the marsh. The missel-thrush is thus a sort of tell-tale, 

 showing how cultivation goes ; and the way to build him in 

 is the same as that by which the ague is built out building 

 drains below ground, and not walls above it. 



THE SONG-THRUSH (Turdus musicus). 



This bird is much more generally distributed over the 

 country than the former ; and though there is some resem- 

 blance between them, more especially in the markings on the 

 under part, the colours of the song-thrush are not nearly so 

 delicate. The whole of the upper part is brown, with a trace 

 of grey, the under part cream-colour, darkest on the breast, 

 and mottled with triangular dusky spots. The length is 

 about nine inches, the stretch of the wings thirteen and a 

 half, and the weight about three ounces. It is, however, 

 subject to considerable variations in colour more, perhaps, 

 than the missel-thrush and it is also subject to considerable 



