l INTRODUCTION
x
Mr. Rodd, respecting an unusual irruption of this species, will be read with interest; it was received on the
Mr. ; tes g
24th of April, 1870 “J am sure you will be interested in hearing that a large immigration of Golden
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Orioles has taken place in the ‘mmediate neighbourhood of Penzance and at the Scilly Isles. They are mostly

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in superb adult plumage Five were killed out of eight, anda fine male and a female besides, at Trevethoe,

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near Hayle. A flock of forty or fifty was risen in a thick plantation on the grounds afterwards.” Surely

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such beautiful birds, when they do arrive in this country, should receive protection instead of the destruction
which now invariably awaits them.

Family TURDID.

A large number of medium-sized insessorial birds are included in this family—Thrushes, Blackbirds,
Fieldfares, Redwings, &c. Their omnivorous appetite leads them to eat insects and their larva,
snails, worms, fruits, and berries. Some are constantly resident, others are migratory; some spend the

summer, others the winter with us.
Genus Turpus.
The Thrushes and the Blackbirds are seemingly very different ; and were it not for numerous intervening
forms, the generic characters of Turdus and Merula would be more easily defined. The greater part

inhabit the temperate portion of the earth, but are not found in Australia or New Zealand.

Vol. TI. BL xox

81. Turpus musicus : : : : : : ‘ ‘ . : ;
THRUSH.
Very generally distributed, and constantly residing and breeding here, as it does also in most parts of the

European continent.

Vol. I. Pl. XXXII.

82. Turpus viscivorus . ; : 5 ; : ;
Misset-Turusu.

Strictly stationary. Common in Europe; generally breeds in all the middle counties of England. It also
inhabits Scotland, where it is annually becoming more and more numerous. Sings early and breeds in May.
The following note from Professor Owen, dated Sheen Lodge, Richmond Park, 28th April, 1872, respecting
the pugnacious propensities of this species, cannot fail to be of interest:—You know that the Missel-
Thrush boldly attacks Magpies and other birds larger than itself; but you may not be aware that it
bullies man himself. I was transplanting, about sunrise this morning, and was startled by a loud menacing
noise above me, and on rising and looking up saw a Missel-Thrush darting from branch to branch,
chattering loudest as it passed over and near to my head; and then it made a dash at me, sweeping close

past my face with a chattering scream. ; aliohG :
é § scream, and, alighting on a branch about six vards off, turned round and

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