TURDID.E THE THRUSHES. 71 



Illinois is far from the normal habitat of this interesting bird, 

 whose true home is the mountainous regions of the Far West. & 

 single specimen, however, was shot at Waukegan, by Mr. Charles 

 Douglas, on the 16th of December, 1875. Mr. Nelson informs us 

 that it was "found in a sheltered ravine, extending a short distance 

 into the bluff, bordering the lake shore near the above-named place, 

 and showed no alarm when approached. Nothing peculiar was observ- 

 ed concerning its habits except that its movements were very 

 sprightly." Mr. Douglas has recently written me that it was eat- 

 ing the seeds of the common black thorn-apple (Cratcegus tomentosd), 

 and that it was quite silent. 



Townsend's Solitaire is, from all accounts, a charming songster 

 the finest, perhaps, among North American birds. Dr. Newberry 

 describes its song as clear, full and melodious, and, although not 

 greatly varied, the notes are all particularly clear and sweet, with 

 strains of pure gushing melody that were both spontaneous and ins- 

 piring. Dr. Cooper says that its song can be compared with noth- 

 ing uttered by any other bird he has ever heard in the United 

 States; and that it excels L that of the Mockingbird in sweetness, 

 while it is entirely original. Mr. J. K. Lord, who heard them sing- 

 ing in November, at Fort Colville, Washington Terr., describes their 

 song, as heard on that occasion, as resembling that of the Song 

 Thrush (Turdus musicus) of Europe. 



