White’s Thrush — Turdus Varius, Pallas
A large Thrush, rather bigger than a Missel Thrush, and not unlike that species in its immature plumage. It is of extremely rare occurrence on our islands, and has only been obtained in about eight or nine counties of England, and on three occasions in Ireland.
Young Missel Thrushes have been frequently recorded as belonging to this species. White’s Thrush may, however, always be distinguished by having fourteen tail feathers instead of twelve, and the under side of the wing, which in the Missel Thrush is pure white, has in this species a broad black bar across the centre.
Its summer home lies across Siberia, east of the Yenesei, through Northern China and Japan, whence it migrates in winter to South China and the Philippines.