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for examination, but he is himself a birds’-nester, egg-colledtor,

and naturalist, and the owner of extensive well-stocked aviaries ;

and, being thus-well stocked himself, he cannot but give us most

interesting and valuable information.


Discarding precedent, the work begins with the Thrushes,

and at once touches a soft place in the hearts of thousands upon

thousands of the inhabitants of these Islands. Commencing;

with the princely Missel Thrush, we are treated to much useful

matter ; the illustration of the bird is good, although the

position savours too much of the Song Thrush, and fails to

exhibit the magnificence of the adult wild male. We are very

glad Dr. Butler does not tell us, as some naturalists do, that this

bird does not sing. Of wild birds, it is quite one of our favourite

songsters; not that the song is very excellent, but the bird is

about the earliest songster of the 3^ear, and from being the

wariest of the wary becomes at this season comparatively

trustful and confiding. Credit for its song is far too often given

to the Blackbird and the Song Thrush, even by those who have

spent their lives in the country. When Morris’ “ Missel

Thrush ” appeared, the reference to its singing “ Perched on

the topmost bough of some tall tree ” produced a warm and

animated discussion among us. About the place were many

magnificent elms ; and we all were familiar with soul-inspiring

songsters perched on their tops in early spring,—but were these

Missel Thrushes ? Some said aye, and some said no ; but when

the season came round the point was soon settled. At break of

day one early-spring morning, our gun, which seldom went

otherwise than straight in those youthful days, went off, and

from the tip-top of an elm came tumbling down, from bough to

bough, our favourite songster—and a Missel Thrush it was sure

enough. It was a cruel adt, which we have never forgotten, and

which we try and atone for by always jealously standing up for

the song of the Missel Thrush. When singing in an ash or oak,

this bird perches high, but not on the top of the tree.


We by no means agree with Dr. Butler that the Missel

Thrush does not attempt to conceal its nest; repeatedly we have

seen nests which have been admirably concealed, and quite safe

from detection b}^ the ordinary passer-by. If sheep be near,

some of their wool is often used for the outside of the nest, and

some is artfully stuck on to a bough or two near, unquestionably

by the bird, and for the purpose of drawing attention from the

nest. The instance quoted of this bird’s nest having been found

within three feet of the ground, presumably in a district where

there were suitable nesting-trees, is very remarkable. Frequently



