50 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



GENUS TTJRDTJS LINN^US. 

 SUBGENUS Hylocichla Baird. 



Hylocichla BAIKD, Review Am. B., i., 1864. 12. Type, Turdus mustelinus GMEL. 



The essential characters of the subgenus Hylocichla consist in the 

 much lengthened tarsus, proportionally shortened tail, and small 

 size. The group comprises the small North American "Wood 

 Thrushes," which are closely connected on the one side with 

 CatJiarus, by their lengthened tarsi, and with Turdus by the shape 

 of the wing. The bill is shorter, more depressed, and broader at 

 base than in typical Turdus, so much so that the species have fre- 

 quently been described under Muscicapa. 



It is not at all improbable that naturalists may ultimately con- 

 clude to consider the group as of generic rank, as has already been 

 done in some instances. 



As to their general appearance when seen in the forest, the 

 Hylocichlse, with the exception of the Wood Thrush, which is 

 conspicuously larger and more rich in color than its congeners, 

 are much alike in their general appearance and in their habits. 

 As has been truly said by a discriminating observer,* their 

 general resemblance to one another is so close "that none but ex- 

 perts can distinguish them, though, upon a close examination the 

 characteristics of each are found to be marked with sufficient dis- 

 tinctness to leave no doubt of their identification. In the field all 

 three [i. e.fuscescens, swainsonii, and pallasii] have the same outline 

 from beak to tail, the same russet coloring above and the same dull 

 white breasts, more or less spotted ; but lay examples of each side 

 by side and it will be proven that the Tawny was correctly named, 

 for his russet plumes have a reddish tint in marked contrast with 

 the greenish shade of the Olive-backed, while the Hermit is distin- 

 guished by his tawny tail which changes to olive above the rump. 

 But the actions of these birds are more nearly identical than either 

 form or color, for whether seen hopping along the ground or perched 

 upon a tree, feeding or flying, it is impossible to detect any differ- 

 ence in them." 



*Mr. Montague Chamberlain, ill the Canadian Sportsman and Ji'attiralisl, Vol. III., 

 No. 1, January, 1883, pp. 201-203. 



