500 AVES-THRUSH. 



a general sentiment of respect prevails on the discovery of a robin's. He 

 possesses much suavity of manners; and almost always seeks shelter for his 

 young in summer, and subsistence for himself in the extremes of winter, 

 near the habitations of man. 



The robin goes by several names at Hudson's Bay ; some people calling 

 him the red-bird ; some the black-bird; and others the American fieldfare. 

 They inhabit the whole of North America, from Hudson's Bay to Nootka 

 Sound, and as far south as Georgia. They are too well known to require 

 further description. 



THE WOOD THRUSH. 1 



This sweet and solitary songster inhabits the whole of North Amenca, 

 from Hudson's Bay to Florida. With the dawn of morning, mounting to the 

 top of some tall tree that rises from a thick shaded part of the woods, he 

 pipes his few, but clear and musical notes in a kind of ecstasy, the prelude 

 to which strongly resembles the double-tonguing of a German flute, and 

 sometimes the tinkling of a small bell ; the whole song consists of five or 

 six parts, the last note of which is in such a tone as to leave the conclusion 

 evidently suspended ; the finale is finely managed, and with such charming 

 effect, as to soothe and tranquillize the mind, and to seem sweeter and mel- 

 lower at each successive repetition. Those who visit our woods, Avill be at 

 no loss to recognize, from the above description, this pleasing musician. 

 Even in dark, wet, and gloomy weather, when scarcely a single chirp is 

 heard from any other bird, the clear notes of the wood thrush thrill through 

 the dropping woods, from morning till night; and it may be truly said, that 

 the sadder the day, the sweeter the song. 



The favorite haunts of this bird are low, thick shaded hollows, through 

 which a small brook or rill meanders, overhung with alder bushes that are 

 mantled with wild vines. Near such a scene he generally builds his nest, 

 in a laurel or alder bush, composed of dry leaves, grass, roots, and mud. 

 Berries, beetles, and caterpillars are his principal food. The wood thrush 

 measures eight inches in length. The whole upper parts are of a bright 

 fulvous color, brightening into reddish on the head ; the throat and breast are 

 white 



1 Turdus mustelinus, Gmel. 



