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* Very probably, on account of its exceptional wariness of disposition, the Mistle-Thrush 
prefers somewhat different nesting-sites, and, to a certain extent, breeding-grounds, from those 
of its near allies the Song-Thrush and the Blackbird. Much of this inherent wariness 
disappears in the breeding-season, and it will frequently rear its young in the most exposed 
situations. Тһе Mistle-Thrush is an early breeder, commencing in some cases in February; and 
two (and sometimes three) broods are reared in the season. Its nest may be found on most of the 
forest trees, and but rarely in the bushes. Тһе birch-copses, larch-plantations, woods, and orchards 
are its favourite haunts, and in some cases trees standing alone, 
elm. A favourite situation is in the alder trees bordering a stream, even on the banks of the 
mountain-torrents on the moorlands. The nest is built at various heights, sometimes only a few feet 
from the ground, at others near the topmost branches. You never find it in the slender twigs, but 
either placed on some horizontal bough away from the trunk, or on a suitable fork of the main 
stem. Instances are known of the bird building in evergreens, only a few feet from the ground ; 
but such cases are exceptions ; indeed this species seems to have a peculiar aversion to using evergreens 
for a nesting-place. 
«No other British Thrush exposes its nest in such a seemingly careless manner as the ‘ Storm-cock ' ; 
yet it is surprising how often it escapes detection in its open position until the young are safely 
reared. This may be partly attributed to the bird's quietness of disposition ; for few birds are 
so silent in the breeding-season, until it is aware that its nest is discovered. Probably few other 
British birds’ nests exceed in picturesqueness the home of this Thrush. There is a peculiar 
rustic beauty about it which few others possess. Like the nest of the Blackbird (indeed of all 
the Thrushes), it undergoes three distinct stages before completion. First, the outside is composed 
of grass, chickweed, bog-moss, and often large masses of wool, through which are artfully woven 
a few slender twigs to strengthen the sides of the structure. This nest is lined with mud or clay ; 
and, lastly, a very thick lining of grass, usually in a green state, completes the work. No attempt 
at concealment is made; indeed it seems that the birds rather court discovery than otherwise; 
for it is no uncommon thing to see a large piece of wool hanging loosely from a nest, or a portion 
of the nest itself so lightly put together as to cause it to arrest the attention at once. The eggs 
of the Mistle-Thrush very rarely exceed four in number, and in but very few cases are less. They 
are somewhat different from the typical Thrush's eggs, being of a greyer tinge. Тһе ground-colour 
ranges from bluish white to reddish brown, spotted, blotched, and clouded with various shades 
of rich purplish brown and with greyish underlying spots. 'They differ considerably in size, form, 
and colour, very often in the same clutch. They vary in length from 1:32 to 1:03 inch, and in 
breadth from 0:94 to 0:8 inch. 
« Mistle-Thrushes are amongst the noisiest of birds should their nest be menaced by 
danger.  Uttering their harsh grating cries, they fly round the intruders head and do their 
best to make him quit its vicinity. Хо Thrush is bolder or more vigilant; and the Magpie, 
the Jay, and even the Sparrow-Hawk are often frightened away by the vigour of their 
attack." 
'The following description of the plumages of the Mistle-Thrush is taken from Seebohm's fifth 
volume of the ‘ Catalogue of Birds :— 
« Adult male in autumn plumage. General colour of the upper parts greyish brown, the 
feathers of the rump edged with ochraceous; lores and the feathers behind the eye greyish white; 
ear-coverts yellowish white, tipped with dark brown; no trace of an eye-stripe ; wings brown with 
pale edges, ochraceous on the outside edges of the secondaries; median wing-coverts with 
conspicuous greyish-white tips; greater wing-coverts and innermost secondaries with obscure pale 
tips; tail brown, the outside feathers very conspicuously tipped with white, especially on the 
especially a road-side oak or 
