BRITISH SONG-BIRDS. 55 



As patriots guard their country from the steps 

 Of some proud tyrant, and his lawless band. 

 Who, on the broad arena of the world, 

 Like gladiators, fight for prize and plunder, 

 " And spread destruction o'er a smiling land;*' 

 So dauntless guards the storm-cock his lov'd home. 

 His mate, his young, his nest, from prowling hawk. 



Anonymous. 



THE MISSEL THRUSH. 



SCREECH THRUSH, OR STORM-COCK. 



TURDUS VISCIVORUS ; LINN^US. LA DRAINE ; 



BUFFON. 



This bird is the largest of the genus, and also 

 of European song-birds: — ^length about eleven 

 inches ; breadth from wing to wing above eight- 

 een inches. . Its name is derived from feeding otj, 

 the berries of the misletoe ; and, indeed, it is said 

 these berries are sometimes propagated after having 



