Natural History of Ireland 431 



The Missel-Thrush — Turdus viscivorus, Linn. — Has of late 

 years extended its locality in Ireland, as in other parts of the Bri- 

 tish islands, and is now found throughout the country. Previous to 

 the last twenty years, it was very partially known, but now, from 

 the southern counties of Clare, Kerry, Cork, and Tipperary, my 

 correspondents attest its gradual increase, though in some of them 

 it has been known for a very few years. To the extreme north- 

 west it has penetrated, and although in Down and Antrim it was 

 at the earliest period alluded to, confined to the richly wooded val- 

 leys, it now inhabits the plantations far as they stretch towards the 

 mountain tops. 



Like some others of the genus, the missel-thrush is in England 

 considered only as an early songster, but, with the exception of the 

 moulting season, its song may be heard in Ireland at every period 

 of the year. Within the first fortnight of December 1832, I have 

 notes of its singing on five different days. 



The missel-thrush's nest is generally most conspicuous, being in 

 every instance that it has occurred to me placed in the forking or 

 junction of the main stem, or branches of trees, whether these be 

 wholly bare or clothed with cryptogamic vegetation. In young 

 plantations, rising from twenty to thirty feet, I have frequently 

 seen it. May it not be on account of this exposed site, which ac- 

 cording to the dictates of nature, is selected, that this species is at 

 the same time endowed with the extraordinary courage and perse- 

 verance manifested in the protection of its nest ? Often have I 

 seen a pair of these birds driving off magpies, and occasionally fight- 

 ing against four of them. On one occasion, a pair of hooded crows 

 (Corvus cornix) joined, or it may be followed in the wake of a pair 

 of magpies, in their assault on a. nest at the " Falls," when the 

 thrushes were unfortunately routed. By an ornithological friend, a 

 pair of these birds was seen pursuing a kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) 

 that approached their nest, — though probably without any felonious 

 intent — when one of them struck it several times, and was as often 

 foiled in the attempt by the hawk suddenly rising to avoid the com- 

 ing blow. Respecting the pilfering propensity of the missel-thrush, 

 I may mention that a few years ago a lady residing near Ballymena 

 lost a lace-cap in spring, when out drying ; in autumn, when the 

 leaves began to fall, something white appeared in one of the trees, 

 and on inspection proved to be the cap that had been used by one of 

 these birds in the construction of its nest. In another instance, a 



where than in that county, especially about the romantic Dove, and the river 

 at Matlock. 



