A Description of the Nest. 107 



in different parts of the country. The origin of its more general 

 appellation — the missel-thrush — I have already mentioned. In 

 the midland counties it is called the thrice cock, but why I know 

 not. In Wales it is known as Pen-y-llwyn, which means the head 

 or master of the coppice. Why it is so called I will mention 

 presently. 



The nest of the missel-thrush is large and well constructed, 

 being made of almost every material ordinarily used for nest- 

 making purposes — moss, and hay, and straw, and dry leaves, 

 and little twigs, and locks of wool, with occasional odds and 

 ends of every possible kind. All these are woven and wrought 

 together very compactly; not, however, without loose straws 

 and little tangles of wool hanging about. Within is a smooth 

 casing of mud, as in the nest of the throstle, and within that 

 a second coating of dry grass. Our picture represents all as 

 being now complete. The busy labours of the year are now 

 over ; the eggs, four or five in number, of a greenish-blue, 

 marked with reddish spots, are laid, and the mother-bird has 

 taken her patient seat upon them, whilst her mate, from the 

 branch above, sings as if he never meant to leave off 

 again. 



The song of this bird is loud, clear, and melodious — a cheer- 

 ing, hopeful song ; and when heard amidst the yet prevailing 

 winter-storms, as if in anticipation of better times, it well 

 deserves our admiration. It resembles, to a certain degree, the 

 song of the blackbird and the thrush, and is often mistaken for 

 them ; but it has not the short, quick, and varied notes of the 

 one, nor the sober, prolonged, and eloquent melody of the 

 other. On the contrary it is of an eager, hurrying character. 



