8 



6 



breeding in any locality north of the Tweed. Now, however, it is very common almost every- 

 where, extending, as I am informed by Mr. Brown, to the counties of Sutherland, Ross, and 

 Caithness. At first its breeding-haunts were wholly confined to gardens and private avenues, 

 where a variety of tree-shrubs afforded it a suitable site ; but at the present time the nest is found 

 as often in woods and parks as elsewhere. I have frequently observed the bulky structure placed 

 at some distance from the ground, but always near the main trunk of the tree, or on a strong 

 branch, without much regard to concealment. At other times it may be seen within a few feet 

 of the base and within reach of prowling animals, which generally manage in such cases to 

 destroy the young ones before they quit the nest. The materials of which the nest is composed 

 vary greatly. I have many times influenced the birds in their choice by throwing in their way a 

 quantity of wood, or paper shavings, moss, or even dried ferns, and have been amused with the 

 readiness with which they took advantage of what had been placed within their reach — handfuls 

 of loose materials being carried away in a few hours, and firmly interwoven by the birds. The 

 nest is much shallower than that of the Common Thrush ; and this makes the bird very easily 

 detected when sitting. As soon as the eggs are hatched, the female becomes very bold in defence 

 of her young, and strikes vigorously at any prowling cat or schoolboy venturing near the nest. 

 The male on such occasions is at no great distance, and soon joins his mate, the two making 

 rapid sallies, brushing within a few inches of the offender, and making all the while a harsh 

 grating noise. I recollect seeing a pair of Missel-Thrushes defending their nest against the 

 repeated attacks of two Crows that made a determined assault. The nest was situated in a larch- 

 tree ; and one of the Crows, after making the first attack, flew off to some distance, followed by 

 the disturbed Thrush. The second Crow then pounced on the defenceless young, and would no 

 doubt have soon destroyed them, had not the other Missel-Thrush come to the rescue. Both the 

 Missel-Thrushes then beat off their black assailants, buffeting them with great determination. I 

 was very much interested with the sight, and was glad to see the Crows so gallantly repulsed. 

 About the middle of June the young birds become gregarious, and haunt grass-parks, where they 

 pick up snails and other animals, on which they feed. I have seen flocks of twenty or thirty 

 birds collected in this way in various parts of Ayrshire. On being disturbed they flew at once to 

 the nearest wood, where they had been probably hatched. Messrs. Baikie and Heddle state that 

 this species makes its appearance occasionally in Orkney after strong easterly gales." 



The best account of the habits of the Missel-Thrush appears to us to be that of Macgillivray, 

 which we reproduce as follows : — 



" The Missel Thrush is a permanent resident, but the native birds of the species are supposed 

 to be joined by others from the Continent towards the end of October. They fly about in loose 

 flocks, composed of a few individuals, seldom more than twenty, and at this season betake them- 

 selves to the open fields, especially those recently ploughed, where they search for worms, larvae, 

 and seeds. On alighting, the bird stands for some time with the body and tail inclined, the head 

 raised, the wings slightly drooping. Should it descry symptoms of danger, it alarms its com- 

 panions by a low harsh scream, when they all remain attentive for a while, and fly off, or, should 

 they judge themselves safe, commence their search, in prosecuting which they scatter about more 

 than the Fieldfares or Eedwings. If you watch the motions of one, you see it hop smartly along, 

 stop to pick up an object, then resume the attitude of attention, hop forward, dig up a worm, 



