143 
“ The Mistle-Thrush is partly graminivorous and partly insectivorous, according to the season of 
the year. In the spring and summer it is seen on the pastures just as frequently as the Blackbird ; 
but, unlike that species and the Song-Thrush, it never seeks its food. under the evergreens and 
hedgerows, but always in the open. Оп the grass it obtains earthworms, snails (both those with 
and those without shells), larvee of various kinds, and insects. In the late summer, and throughout 
the autumn, fruit and berries are largely sought after. This fare is obtained in gardens as well 
as woods, and is composed of cherries, gooseberries, raspberries, and in the upland districts 
the various moor fruit and the berries of the mountain-ash. Тһе berries of the service-tree in 
the autumn months are perhaps more eagerly sought after by the Mistle-Thrush than any 
other food. Where the trees are covered with fruit the birds may be seen incessantly, 
frequenting them until they are entirely stripped. Іп late autumn and in early spring, 
when sowing-operations are in progress, the Mistle-Thrush will frequent the fields and pick 
up the scattered grain, varying his fare with grubs and insects. In winter the bird is to a 
great extent a wanderer. Its food is largely composed of berries of the hawthorn; and, like the 
Fieldfare, it wanders from one district to another. The berry that is perhaps most closely 
associated with the Mistle-Thrush is that of the famous parasite the mistletoe. Popular 
opinion regards this waxen berry as the staple food of the *Storm-cock, and assumes that the 
bird is the principal disseminator of this parasitic plant. Pliny even propounded the startling 
theory that the berries of this plant will not germinate unless they have passed through the 
intestines of birds, notably that of the Mistle-Thrush! This bird does not eat the berries of the 
mistletoe to such an extent as is popularly believed. In districts where this plant abounds it is: 
rarely found denuded of its berries, although the Mistle-Thrush may be the commonest of 
birds in the neighbourhood. Тһе berries of the hawthorn, the ivy, and the service-tree are its: 
staple food in the winter season. It is not at all improbable, however, that when the birds do 
occasionally eat the berries of the mistletoe, the seeds are disseminated by their clinging to the: 
bill of the bird, who, to rid itself of them, cleans it on the bark, and thus unwittingly places 
them in some crevice where they eventually germinate. Тһе Mistle-Thrush sings throughout 
the winter. In early autumn, after being silent throughout the breeding-season, he regains his 
song, and may be heard to sing until the nesting-season in the following spring. Ко sooner has 
this time arrived than the * Storm-cock' drops its wild melody, and, unlike all its congeners, performs 
the duties of breeding in silence. Тһе song resembles in some of its tones that of the Song-Thrush 
and Blackbird; but it possesses a peculiar loudness and wild variation strictly its own, and 
may, by one who pays attention to the songs of birds, be instantly distinguished from the notes 
of any other British songster. Like the notes of the Ring-Ouzel, it is somewhat monotonous, 
but rich and mellow. Before the first streak of dawn shoots across the dull wintery sky, the 
Mistle-Thrush may be heard pouring forth his wild carol; and in the evening, when the dusk is 
falling, he sings equally well But perhaps the time when the * Storm-cock's" song is- heard. to 
best advantage is on some wild day when part of his performance is drowned by the storm. 
Perched on the leafless branches of a lofty tree, he sits and warbles forth his song amidst the 
driving sleet and the roaring tempest. Should you disturb the Mistle-Thrush when singing, 
he usually drops silently down and awaits your departure, though sometimes he merely retires to а. 
neighbouring tree and warbles as sweetly as before. Тһе call-notes of the Mistle-Thrush are 
extremely harsh and discordant, resembling those of the Song-Thrush, yet infinitely louder and 
harsher. 
** Mistle-Thrushes pair about the first week in February, and at that season they are very 
pugnacious; and when paired they often frequent the locality of their nest for weeks before a twig 
is laid in furtherance of it. 
* 
semi e m 
DEEST RIS TENERA m 
A CR O 
