BRITISH SONG-BIRDS. 57 



thrush begins to sing early in January, if the wea- 

 ther is fine. In stormy weather, however, it is said 

 to have a loud screaming note, from whence it got 

 the name of storm-cock. It is a migratory bird, 

 and not so numerous in Britain as the common 

 thrush. 



They are very quick in noticing birds of prey, 

 and very courageous and fierce. If a hawk ap- 

 proaches theii' haunts, which are generally orchards 

 and gardens, they instantly give the alarm by loud 

 screa^ms, which appear to be understood by the 

 smaller feathered tribes within hearing of this war- 

 cry; for they soon assemble, and, headed by the 

 misle-tlu-ush, boldly attack and di'ive off the in- 

 truder. He (the storm-cock) ^^dll singly attack 

 the jay, magpie, merlin, sparrow-hawk, and kes- 

 trel. It is worthy of remark, that every bird 

 seems to have a cry or note peculiar to its kind, 

 which it utters on the approach of a bird of prey, 

 and which note seems to be understood by birds 

 of different genera, from that which first gave 

 notice of a foe. On hearing it, each sounds the 

 alarm-note peculiar to its tribe, and, from all parts 

 within hearing of it, they congregate, and mu-< 

 tually assist each other to di'ive away the common 

 enemy. 



c 2 



