a naked stake fence, or summit of a stone wall, in evergreens, 

 in a heap of dead sticks, and even within a few inches of the 

 ground, on the stump of a pollard tree. It is formed chiefly 

 of grass, and a few dry sticks, roots, and leaves, bound to- 

 gether with mud, which it uses in a much greater quantity 

 than the Thrush. It is then completed by a lining of fine 

 grass, upon which she lays four or five eggs. Fig. 3, shews 

 the usual colouring ; fig. 2, a variety : there are also many 

 intermediate ones. 



TURDUS VISCIVORUS. (linn.) 

 Missel Thkush, Storm Cock, &c. 



The Missel Thrush, otherwise a very shy bird, becomes 

 more familiar in the spring ; it approaches our orchards and 

 gardens, building its nest (which resembles that of the Black- 

 bird) about the middle of March, in fruit trees, generally at 

 the first divarication of the branches ; it builds also, perhaps 

 as frequently, in plantations, in firs, oaks, &c., ten or fifteen 

 feet above the ground. I know no bird that seems (in some 

 instances) to have so little idea of concealment as the Missel 

 Thrush ; it is sometimes scarcely possible to pass by its nest 

 without discovering it. It is formed of large quantities of 

 straw, matting, wool, and grass, which are frequently left 

 hanging down on all sides, as though the nest had been torn 

 to pieces ; a little moss is sometimes used, it is then cemented 

 with mud, and afterwards thickly lined with fine dry grass. 

 I have seen a nest of this bird, the foundation of which was 

 mud, strongly cemented to, and nearly encircling the branches 

 between which it was placed. 



The female lays four or five eggs, varying a good deal in 

 the ground-colour, from a greenish to a red tint. When sit- 

 ting, she defends them most resolutely. I know an instance 

 of one flying at a man's face, when disturbed. Plate VI. 

 Fig. 4. 



