64 BIRDS OB* ILLINOIS. 



being occupied by a larger, grayer, race, while in the Pacific coast 

 district a dwarf race takes its place. These two geographical forms 

 being sufficiently distinct to rank as subspecies they need not be 

 mentioned further here. 



The "Ground Swamp Robin," as this species is known in parts of 

 New England in contradistinction from its relative, the Olive-backed 

 ed Thrush, (called "Swamp Robin") breeds from Massachusetts north- 

 ward, and passes the winter from the Middle States, or from about the 

 parallel of 40 to the Gulf coast. It has been found common in winter in 

 vicinity of Washington, D. C., during the severest weather, the mercury 

 registering -16. Most of the habits of this species are very similar to 

 those of its congeners. Its song is said by Dr. Brewer to be "very 

 fine, having many of the characteristics of that of the Wood Thrush. 

 It is as sweet, has the same tinkling sounds, as of a bell, but is 

 neither so powerful nor so prolonged, and rises more rapidly in its 

 intonations. It begins with low, sweet notes, and ends abruptly 

 with its highest, sharp ringing notes." 



GENUS Merula LEACH. 



Hernia LEACH, Syst. Cat. Mamm. and Birds. 1816, p. 20. Type, Turdus merula Linn. 



GEN. CHAR. Tail about four-fifths as long as the wing, and more than three times as 

 long as the tarsus, slightly rounded; tarsus a little longer than commissure, exceeding 

 middle toe and claw by less than the length of the latter; 3d, 4th, and 5th auills longest, 

 the 2d about eaual to the 6th, never much longer or shorter. 3d to 6th quills with outer 

 webs stnuated. Outstretched feet not reaching beyond the middle of the tail. Plumage 

 variable, but never distinctly spotted beneath, except in young. Sexes sometimes very 

 different in plumage. 



The above characters apply equally well to the type species, M. 

 merula (the European Blackbird) and the North American repre- 

 sentative congener, M. miyratoria. The former, however, has the 

 tail a little longer, proportionally, has the bill decidedly narrower 

 at the base, and has the plumage uniform black in the male, gray- 

 ish brown in the female. 



North America possesses only two species of this genus, the com- 

 mon so-called Robin (M. migratorla) and the M, conftnis (Baird) of 

 Lower California, the latter being very distinct. 



