346 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. 



of withered beech or oak leaves, above these a layer of 

 coarse old grass and leaf-stalks is laid, tempered with a 

 mixture of mud and decayed wood smoothly plastered, so as 

 to form a crust like the nest of the Robin. The whole is 

 then surmounted by a thin lining of the black, fibrous 

 radicles of the fern. The eggs, 4 or 5, scarcely distin- 

 guishable from those of the Robin, are of an uniform 

 bright greenish blue and destitute of spots. Beetles, 

 caterpillars, various insects, and, in autumn, berries 

 constitute the principal food of the Wood Thrush. The 

 young remain for weeks around gardens in quest of ber- 

 ries, and are particularly fond of those of the various 

 species of cornel and viburnum. At this season they 

 occasionally leave their favorite glens, and in their devi- 

 ous wanderings, previous to their departure, sometimes 

 venture to visit the rural suburbs of the city. The 

 young are easily reared, and sing nearly as well in the 

 cage as in their native wilds. 



The Wood Thrush measures about 8 inches in length, and 13 

 in alar extent. Above, bright cinnamon-brown, brightening into 

 rufous on the head, and inclining to olive on the rump and tail. 

 Beneath, whitish, thickly marked with pencil-shaped dvisky spots. 

 The vent pure white. Orbits of the eye white. Bill dusky brown, 

 slightly notched, the lower mandible flesh-colored towards the base. 

 Legs and claws very pale flesh-color. Iris dark chocolate. 



LITTLE OR HERMIT THRUSH. 



(Turdus minor, Gai. Pennant, ii. p. 20. No. 201. T. solitariits, 

 Wilson, v. p. 95. pi. 43. fig. 2. Audubon, pi. 58. [excellent.] 

 Phil. Museum, No. 3542.) 



Sp. Charact. — Olive-brown, inclining to rufous on the tail ; be- 

 neath brownish white, spotted with dusky brown on the breast 

 and under the wings ; tail short and emarginate j the bill short. 



