216 



the scalation of the feet. As these are rather difficult features for the 

 amateur to discern, it is perhaps easier to differentiate them by other 

 more striking characters that apply to the representative of the group in 

 eastern Canada. For this purpose they may be divided into the Thrushes 

 proper and the American Robin, Bluebird, and Wheatear, the last very 

 rare and the other two so well marked as to be recognized with ease. 

 The Thrushes proper are medium-sized birds, brown above and white 

 below, with the breast more or less spotted, except one species, the Veery, 

 conspicuously so. Any Canadian bird of this description between 6-25 

 and 8 • 30 inches long, with the first primary very small and degenerate, 

 belongs to this group. The Thrushes are all ground-haunting birds and 

 usually more or less sohtary. Their principal food is insects and soft 

 fruit. The woodland species are of little direct economic importance, 

 although their influence is beneficial. All the Thrushes of this group 

 are very sweet singers. 



755. Wood Thrush, song thrush, fb. — la grive des bois. Hylocichla 

 mustelina. L, 8-29. Plate XLVIII A. 



Distinctions. Easily recognized as a Thrush, though having somewhat the general 

 colour of the Brown Thrasher. The short tail, straight bill, and dark instead of light eye 

 make good separation marks. From the other members of the genus it can be told by its 

 larger size, the absolute whiteness of the breast, the sharper definition of the round spots, and 

 the yellowish rather than reddish or olive tinge of the back, brightest on head. 



Field Marks. The sharp spots on the pure white breast and the tawniness of the back 

 make the best field marks. 



Nesting. In saplings about 8 feet above the ground, in nest of leaves, rootlets, fine 

 twigs, and weed stalks firmly interwoven and lined with mud and fine rootlets. 



Distribution. Eastern North America; north regularly to southern Ontario; occa- 

 sional or local in adjoining regions. 



The Wood Thrush is a woodland bird of rather southern distribution; 

 common in Canada only in the more southern portions. 



756. Wilson's Thrush, veery. cathedral-bird. fr. — la grive de wilson. 

 Hylocichla ftiscescens. L, 7-52. Plate XLVIII B. 



Distinctions. In this Thrush the brown is almost as tawny as in the Wood Thrush but 

 the back is evenly coloured and no brighter on head or tail than elsewhere. The breast 

 spots are reduced to a vague series of darker spots down the sides of the neck and on a 

 tinted area across the upper breast. 



Field Marks. The even, light coloration of the back and the hght suffused colour of 

 the breast spots. 



Nesting. On or near ground, in nest of strips of bark, rootlets, and leaves wrapped with 

 leaves and lined with rootlets. 



Distribution. The northern part of north America north to the limits of settlement. 



SUBSPECIES. In Canada Wilson's Thrush is represented by two subspecies, the 

 Veery, the type form, and the Willow Thrush of western distribution, coming east to 

 Manitoba and only occasionally occurring in eastern Canada. 



The Veery has a wide distribution within settled sections. Beyond 

 the range of the Wood Thrush and before the other thrushes become 

 numerous this species is common and its cascade of bell-Hke notes poured 

 forth at sunset in the darkening bush are very pleasant to hear. 



757. Alice's Thrush, grey-cheeked thrush, fr. — la grive d'alice. Hylo- 

 cichla alicioe. L, 7-58. PlateXLIXA. 



Distinctions. Although a distinct species, this thrush is so nearly like the next, the 

 Olive-backed, as to be separated from it with some difficulty. The two can be distinguished 

 from other thrushes by their even dark olive backs and heavily spotted breasts with spots 

 suffused in places and running together. In the Grey-cheeked Thrush the sides of the face 

 and spotting of breast are suffused with dull cold grey instead of a warm buff. 



