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Turdus Viscivorus.
Lin. Syst. Nat. 291.
The Misselbird.
Plate III.
This is the largest of the British song birds, being ten inches and an half long. My figure in plate the third is a little reduced to bring it within compass. The bill is short and strong, the upper chap pretty much curved, and of a black colour; the lower is dusky at the point, and horn coloured at the base.
Between the bill and the eyes is a bed of white downy feathers, and several upright black bristles grow about the base of the bill. The inside of the mouth is yellow, the eyes brown, and the feathers which cover the ears are of a pale colour.
The head is of a dusky ash colour, with a strong cast of olive, the back and rump are olive colour, the latter more yellowish.
The tail consists of twelve feathers of the same colour as the back, except the two outmost on each side, which at the tips are clouded with white. The lower side of the bird, from bill to tail, is white, with a dash of yellow brown on the sides of the breast, and under the wings, and all the white part is beautifully spotted with black spots of various shapes; those on the throat and upper part of the breast are triangular, on the lower part oval or kidney-shaped, and towards the tail lunated.
The legs and feet are yellow, the claws are black, very much curved, and sharp pointed. The wing is olive-coloured, the first and second quills having white tips. The coverts have broad white margins. Feeds on the berries of [1]misseltoe when it can find them; it also eats insects, bilberries, haws, and other small fruits, like the rest of the thrushes.
- ↑ Viscum album.
