BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 305 



hardly reach the ground. Here it delights to sing ; and no 

 one can hear it without having his mind calmed by the spirit- 

 like melody, and the harmonious quiet of the scene. 



This bird is a constant resident in Louisiana, but whether, or 

 how far it goes beyond the limits of the United States, is not 

 known. It comes to us in April, performing its migrations in 

 the woods, and seldom appearing in the open country. Its 

 nest is built in shrubs or low trees, saddled on the branch, and 

 composed of grass and leaves held together by mud, with a 

 lining of root- fibres. The eggs, four or five in number, are of a 

 greenish blue. The young come out from retirement into 

 gardens, and are even known to visit the outskirts of the city. 

 They are easily raised in confinement, and sing nearly as well 

 as when free. 



On alighting on a branch, the wood thrush gives its tail a 

 jerk two or three times with a peculiar chuckle. It walks and 

 hops on the branches, occasionally bending down to look round 

 it. It often descends to the ground, and scratches in search 

 of worms and beetles, but the least alarm sends it back to the 

 tree. It never commits depredations of any kind whatever. 

 These birds are never seen in flocks ; they pair in the breeding 

 season, but at all other times are found single and apart from 

 each other. They do not leave New England till quite late in 

 the fall. 



The Hermit Thrush, Turdus minor, is described by Audu- 

 bon and Wilson as destitute of song, while Nuttall represents it 

 as hardly inferior to the nightingale in the power and sweetness 

 of its voice. There are some other points of difference in their 

 several descriptions. Audubon says that the bill is dark brown, 

 yellowish toward the base of the lower mandible. Nuttall 

 says that it is black above and flesh colored below. Audubon 

 says that the tail is even, while Wilson and Nuttall speak of 

 it as forked. These and some other discrepancies I am unable 

 to reconcile, from want of acquaintance with the bird. Nuttall 

 however sets it down as passing the summer in our woods. 

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