222 



British Cage Birds. 



off victorious in all their encounters. These birds can be 

 reared in the same manner as Song Thrushes. 



Methods of Captuee. — Missel Thrushes are sometimes 

 caught by nooses, attached to the branches of trees on which 

 the mistletoe grows, or by judiciously placing limed wands, or 

 sticks, beneath the trees. They may also be taken in a spring 

 trap, made on the same principle as a rabbit trap, but much 

 smaller, and with a weaker spring ; the top side pieces should 

 be made of hard wood, and covered with cloth, to prevent 

 injury to the legs of the birds ; the cloth may be secured 

 with strong glue or small tacks. These traps may be set 

 beneath the trees they are known to frequent. Bait with 

 mistletoe, service, or juniper berries. The best time of the 

 year to take these birds is between the middle of November 

 and the first week in March. They are at times taken with 

 the decoy bush and day net, but, being exceedingly shy, 

 require to be hungry before they will venture near ; use 

 the same bait as mentioned previously. 



Food and Treatment. — Although the Missel Thrush feeds 

 principally upon the berries that grow on the mistletoe, it 

 will, when these are scarce, or not procurable, eat other kinds, 

 such as those of the juniper and mountain ash. It is very 

 fond of garden fruit, especially cherries, raspberries, and red 

 and white currants. It also feeds on worms, slugs, and 

 aquatic flies. In confinement, these birds may be treated in 

 all respects, so far as diet is concerned, the same as Black- 

 birds and Song Thrushes. 



Bearing the Young. — The young should be taken when 

 twelve days old, and treated in precisely the same manner as 

 that recommended for rearing young Blackbirds. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The hen is 

 paler in colour than the male bird, more particularly on the 

 neck, breast, and cheeks. The cock is much yellower on these 

 parts, the hen being more of a dirty greyish white, and 

 slightly tinged with yellow on all the under parts of her body. 



Song. — The song of the Missel Thrush can scarcely be 

 termed harmonious, and is by no means exhilarating. It con- 

 sists of a few sharp, clear notes, uttered very loudly, but in a 

 melancholy sort of manner. These notes appear to be jerked 

 out in a slow, monotonous way, similar to those of the Robin, 

 but entirely unconnected. 



