202 
THRUSHES. 
in England seven species, viz. — 1. Missel-Thrush; 
2. Fieldfare; 3. Song-Thrush; 4. Redwing; 5. Ring- 
Ousel; 6. Blackbird; and 7* Water-Ousel or Dipper. 
The first of these, the Missel-Thrush, is not only 
the largest, hut the finest and boldest of the family, 
and has some claims to our esteem from its being 
the earliest song-bird of the year; often favouring 
us with its notes, at a season when every other bird 
slinks away to its hiding-place, glad to escape the 
inclemency of the weather. In the height of a heavy 
gale of wind, the Missel-Thrush may be seen braving 
the blast, perched on the quivering branch of some 
tall tree; hence it has gained the name of the Storm- 
Cock. It is, moreover, a gallant bird: and, during 
the breeding-season, woe be to the Jackdaw or 
Magpie that ventures to cast a wistful eye at its eggs ; 
nay, more, we have known it attack even a Hawk, 
and fairly drive him from the neighbourhood. 
The Redwing and Fieldfare are but visitants. 
Their summers are passed in far distant northern 
regions, where they rear, unmolested and unseen by 
man, those immense flights which frequent our fields 
and forests in the winter season. It is generally 
supposed that they are hardy birds; but the very 
reverse is the case, for, in severe weather, should 
there be a dearth of food, they are the first to suffer. 
In hard winters, when sudden falls of snow have 
deprived them of their usual supply, thousands have 
been known to perish on the coast, unable, through 
weakness, to take flight for a more southern climate. 
In January, 1815, when a heavy fall of snow fell on 
the 19th, and remained one deep white mantle over 
the face of the country, till the 29th, during which 
