DO 



THE MISTLE THRUSH. 



This, and the following bird, are so very 

 rarely kept in cages, on account of the 

 difficulty with which they are procured, 

 that I should have passed them over, had 

 they not been noticed in other treatises on 

 singing birds. 



The mistle thrush in size exceeds all 

 other European songsters, being in length 

 nearly twelve inches ; in its plumage and 

 habits it bears a strong resemblance to the 

 common thrush, than which, however, it 

 is more hardy and courageous, as it will 

 singly attack the jay, magpie, or sparrow- 

 hawk. Bewick says, that " this species be- 

 gins to sing early, often on the turn of the 

 year in blowing showery weather, whence 

 in some places it is called the storm-cock." 

 The food of the mistle thrush consists 

 chiefly of wild berries, particularly those of 

 the mountain-ash and the mistletoe, and 

 its name is said to have been given it 



