MISSEL THRUSH. 



TURDUS VISCIVORUS. 

 Family PASSERID^E. Sub-family TURDIN^;. Genus TURDUS. 



Misseltoe Thrush Storm Cock Holm Thrush Shrite 

 Missel Bird Shrike Cock. 



THIS handsome bird the Storm Cock, as it is some- 

 times called, because it may be seen perched upon the 

 top of some high bough pouring out its wild, half-heard 

 song through the driving storm in the early spring is 

 through the greater part of the year one of the shiest 

 and wariest of birds. In the breeding season, however, 

 it seems to lay aside all fear, and frequently chooses 

 for its nesting site a spot in a garden close to some 

 dwelling. The orchard is a favourite place, in the fork 

 of some apple tree, or on an outlying bough of a fruit 

 tree away from the trunk, but never placed in the 

 more slender twigs. I have seen the nest built and a 

 brood reared in one of the compartments of an old 

 disused pigeon-cot. No effort seems to be made at 

 concealment, the nest often being overlooked from its 

 very conspicuousness. The bird becomes very angry 

 and abusive when its nest is approached, and has 



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