206 CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



powers, the different groups are somewhat unequally endowed, though the notes of all are in many 

 respects very similar. The song of the " Nightingale of the North," as the Singing Thrush is called 

 in Norway, must certainly be regarded as excelling that of any other species ; whilst that of the 

 Missel and Juniper Thrush are also remarkable for great sweetness and variety of tone ; of the 

 Hermit Thrush (Turdus solitarius) Audubon speaks with great enthusiasm. 



Unlike most other birds, the Thrushes do not accompany their notes with any description of 

 movement or gesticulation, but sit perfectly quiet and almost motionless during the whole song ; one 

 male has no sooner perched himself on a conspicuous branch, and commenced singing, than he is 

 answered by all those in the neighbourhood, as they hurry to the spot to join in the performance, 

 and share the admiration they evidently expect it will excite. Insects, snails, and worms afford 

 them the means of sustenance during the summer, these being principally obtained from the surface 

 of the ground ; they also greedily devour berries, some preferring one sort and some another. Thus 

 die Missel Thrush constantly seeks the fruit of the mistletoe, and for this reason is popularly 

 supposed to bear its seeds from one spot to another ; while the Ring Thrush consumes whortleberries 

 in such quantities after the breeding season that, according to Schauer, its flesh acquires a blue, and 

 its bones a red tinge. This very decided predilection for particular fruits and berries renders these 

 birds very troublesome in vineyards and orchards, and brings down upon them severe retribution at 

 certain seasons of the year. 



Such groups as inhabit the north rarely commence breeding before June, whilst others usually lay 

 within a very short time after their return to their native lands. The situations of the nest also vary 

 considerably, according to the localities in which they are built. 



THE MISSEL THRUSH. 



The Missel Thrush (Turdus visavorus) is about ten inches long, and from sixteen inches and 

 a half to seventeen and a half broad ; its wing measures from five inches and a half to five inches and 

 three-quarters, and the tail from four inches to four inches and a quarter. Upon the upper part of 

 the body the feathers are deep grey, the under side is whitish, marked on the throat with triangular, 

 and on the other portions with kidney-shaped brownish black spots ; the quills and tail are brownish 

 grey, bordered with greyish yellow ; the eye is brown, the beak dark, and the feet light horn-colour. 

 The female resembles her mate, but is somewhat smaller ; the feathers on the under side of the young 

 are spotted with black, and the wing-covers bordered with yellow. This species is found throughout 

 the entire continent of Europe, and is numerously met with in Great Britain. In Wales it is 

 popularly known as " Penn-y-llwya," or " Master of the Coppice," on account of the overbearing and 

 quarrelsome disposition it displays. In England it is often called the " Storm Thrush," from the fact 

 that its voice is constantly to be heard before a storm of wind or rain. Such of these birds as 

 inhabit the most northern portions of our continent wander somewhat further south as winter 

 approaches, whilst those that occupy more genial latitudes remain throughout the entire year in 

 their native lands. Some few are occasionally known to stray as far as North-western Africa. 

 Districts abounding in lofty trees or pine and fir forests are the localities they prefer. The nest is 

 formed of moss, stalks, lichens, and grass ; the outer wall being frequently coated with a layer of 

 mud, and the interior neatly lined with fine grass and similar materials. (The egg is represented 

 in Fig. 12, Coloured Plate XVI.) 



The voice of the Missel Thrush resembles that of the Blackbird. " The male," says Mudie, 

 "is not a mere idle songster; he is equally vigilant and bold in the defence of his family. The 

 call-note he utters in case of danger — and which is answered by the female as if she were expressing 

 her confidence of safety while he is on the watch — is harsh, grating, and has the tone of a note of 



