248 THE SONG-THRUSH, OR THROSTLE. 



THE AMERICAN ROBIN (Merula migratoria), or Migratory Thrush. This most delightful 

 and familiar bird was named by our first New England settlers after the little English Robin- 

 redbreast. Though so much larger, our bird reminded them of home, the ruddy-colored 

 breast being quite similar to that of the English bird. The Migratory Thrush is the proper 

 term, though we would not willingly see the present name changed. 



The Robin is, par excellence, the favorite of American birds. Its handsome appearance 

 and social habits endear it to all. It is especially abundant in towns where orchards abound. 

 Although it is seen in the forests, or on the outskirts, it is almost habitually a sojourner in 

 the close proximity of the farm or country-house. Indeed, it could scarcely be more so if it 

 were a domestic fowl. Though it migrates, as a rule, yet some stragglers are seen in the deep 

 woods during winter. They do not visit the farm-yard in cold weather as the chickadee does, 

 as one would naturally expect they would. He is one of the earliest of our spring songsters, 

 coming in March, often when the snow is yet upon the ground. 



The Robin inhabits the whole continent, from the coldest region to the Gulf States. It 

 breeds in portions above Virginia. In some portions it is called the American Fieldfare, after 

 the English bird so called. On the Pacific side, in California and south, there is a variety 

 having some slight differences of marking. 



THE GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (Hylocichla aliciai) is very nearly like the olive-backed, but 

 darker. It exhibits an ashy shade about the sides of the head, and a white ring around the 

 eyes. It inhabits from the Mississippi region to the Missouri. 



THE VARIED THRUSH (Hesperocichla ncema) is more like the Robin than any other species. 

 Its shape is almost exactly like the latter. The plumage differs somewhat. The wings and 

 tail are somewhat shorter. It is confined to the Pacific coast, though stragglers have been 

 seen in New England. 



AMONG the best known and best loved of the European songsters, the BLACKBIRD is one 

 of the most conspicuous. 



This well-known bird derives its popular name from the uniformly black hue of its plum- 

 age, which is only relieved by the bright orange-colored bill of the male bird. The song of 

 this creature is remarkable for its full mellowness of note, and is ever a welcome sound to the 

 lover of nature and her vocal and visual harmonies. Often the poor bird suffers for its voice ; 

 and being kept within the bars of a cage, is forced to sing its wild native notes "in a strange 

 land." In captivity it is sometimes subjected to training, and has been taught to whistle 

 tunes with great spirit and precision. Generally the bird sings in the daytime, but there are 

 times when it encroaches upon the acknowledged province of the nightingale, and makes the 

 night echoes ring with its rich ringing tones. 



It is rather curious that even in its native state the Blackbird is something of a mimic, 

 and will imitate the voices of other birds with remarkable skill, even teaching itself to crow 

 like a cock and to cackle like a hen. 



The Blackbird feeds usually on insects, but it also possesses a great love of fruit, and in 

 the autumn ravages the gardens and orchards in a most destructive manner, picking out all 

 the best and ripest fruit, and wisely leaving the still immatured produce to ripen on the 

 branches. Perhaps it may be partly carnivorous, as one of these birds was seen to attack and 

 kill a shrew mouse. 



As it is so common a bird, and constantly haunts the hedge-rows, it is greatly persecuted 

 by juvenile gunners, whom it contrives to draw away from its nest by flitting in and out of the 

 hedge, always taking care to keep out of shot range, and having a curious habit of slipping 

 through the hedge, and flying quietly back to its nest, almost touching the surface of the 

 ground in its rapid progress. It is not a sociable bird, being seldom seen in company with 

 others of its own species, and not often even together with its mate. 



THE well-known SONG-THRUSH, or THROSTLE, as it is sometimes called, bears a deservedly 

 high rank among the birds of song. 



