large spots, and are beautifully golden in colour. The young bird figured in the Plate is nearly 

 mature, but still has golden shaft-stripes to the upper plumage. We do not think this stage of the bird 

 has ever been illustrated before. 



The Missel-Thrush, or, as it is often called, the Misseltoe-Thrush, is found in nearly every part of 

 Europe, being, however, migratory to a greater or less extent. It does not seem to have been 

 met with in Siberia, but ranges into the Himalayas, where it has been supposed to constitute a 

 distinct species. After having examined a very complete series from all localities, we desire to 

 record our opinion that the Missel-Thrush of the Himalayas is in every respect exactly similar to 

 the Missel-Thrush of Europe ; and we are certain that any one working with a sufficiently full 

 series of skins before him will indorse this statement. 



It breeds everywhere in England, according to Mr. A. G. More, who appends the following 

 remark : — " apparently still increasing in Scotland, as it is now recorded as breeding regularly 

 even in the most northern counties." For the very interesting note on the Missel-Thrush in Scot- 

 land given below we are indebted to Mr. Robert Gray, of Glasgow, while our friend Mr. J. A. Harvie 

 Brown has also kindly sent us the accompanying observations : — " This still remains a compara- 

 tively rare species so far north, though spreading steadily through Sutherland and Caithness with 

 the advance of wood and cultivation. In 1834, Mr. Selby writes that it was observed about the 

 banks of Loch Naver; but this year (1869), though we wrote to a correspondent in that neigh- 

 bourhood, we failed to obtain the eggs. Mr. J. Crawford, however, is confident that the Missel- 

 Thrush breeds about Tongue, as the birds are constantly observed in summer. We obtained one 

 egg in 1869, however, from a much more northern locality, in Caithness. Even in 1865 Mr. A. G. 

 More records it as breeding and increasing as far north as Caithness. Since the above was first 

 penned we have seen eggs taken close to Cape Wrath." " In England," writes Mr. J. H. Gurney, 

 jun., " the Missel-Thrush is one of those birds which, like the Turtledove and the Long-eared 

 Owl, are increasing with fir-plantations. The remark of Selby, ' this species within the last ten 

 or fifteen years has become very common in the northern counties,' will apply to many other 

 places." In Ireland, also, it is a very common bird. 



In Norway, according to Mr. It. Collett, it is " chiefly found in the south-eastern portion of 

 the country, where it generally winters, and also breeds. It becomes rare in the province of 

 Christiania, at Nedernaes, near Nees, and Aaseral, and is not known with certainty to occur in the 

 province of Bergen. Above Mjsesen it is rarer, but breeds in Gudbrandsdal, at Lillehammer, 

 has been observed at Trondhjem, in the Vserdal; and Mr. Godman found it breeding near Bodo, 

 on the 6th of July, 1857. A single individual was observed at Alten, below 70°, in August 1838, 

 by Professor Sundevall." Wheelwright found a nest, containing fresh eggs, at Quickjock, in 

 Lapland, on the 9th of July, where, however, the bird is rare. The late Mr. John Wolley, in 

 his ' Sale Catalogue ' of May 30, 1860, for a sight of which we are indebted to Mr. J. H. Gurney, 

 jun., says it is " by no means abundant in Lapland, but still, as shown by their eggs [from Kyro], 

 extending its range higher than lat. 68° N." Von Wright says that it is found generally through- 

 out Finland, though nowhere numerous, and seldom does one remain over winter. Mr. A. Benzon 

 writes : — " This bird is common during migration, but is more rarely found nesting in Denmark. 

 It breeds here and there in the woods, both on the peninsula and the islands. I have its eggg 

 from Jutland and the neighbourhood of Copenhagen. It lays its eggs in the latter part of May." 



