217 



Field Marks. Heavily spotted breast and evenly coloured back and tail will separate 

 this from all but the Olive-backed. The lack of buff tones on the side of the face will 

 differentiate it from that species though in actual field work it is only under the most favour- 

 able circumstances that this character can be made out with certainty and many specimens 

 Been in the dark woods or the fleeting moments given for observation go unidentified. 



SUBSPECIES. Alice's Thrush is divided into two geographical races: the Grey- 

 cheeked, the type, and BickneU's Thrush H.a. hicknelli. The latter in Canada is confined 

 as far as we know now to the Maritime Provinces below the gulf of St. Lawrence, but the 

 distribution of the two forms in eastern Canada is not weU worked out. 



Distribution. Northern North America; breeding mainly in Canada from the edges 

 of settlement northward. 



758a. Olive-backed Thrush, fr. — la grive de swainson. Hylocichla ustulala. 

 L, 7 17. Plate XLIX A. 



Distinctions. Evenly coloured back without colour variation on either head or tail and 

 heavily spotted breast will separate this from all the thrushes but Ahce's. The distinctly 

 buffy cast of the cheeks instead of cold grey will differentiate it from that species. 



Field Marks. Back and breast characters as above. The facial coloration which 

 separates it from Alice's can only be seen under the most favourable conditions and many 

 individuals usually go unidentified. 



Nesting. In bushes or small trees about 4 feet above the ground, in nest of coarse 

 grasses, moss, rootlets, leaves, and bark lined with rootlets and grass. 



Distribution. As a species, all of North America; breeding mostly in Canada from 

 the edges of cultivation northward. Swainson 's Thrush extends west to the Rocky 

 mountains. 



SUBSPECIES. The Olive-backed Thrush is divided into two subspecies. The type 

 race, imder the name of Russet-backed Thrush, is a Pacific Coast form. The Eastern 

 OUve-back or Swainson's Thrush H.u. swainsoni is the only one in eastern Canada. 



In spring and autumn the open woods are invaded by great numbers 

 of these evenly coloured, spotted-breasted thrushes on their way to and 

 from their breeding grounds. They are rather wary and the numerical 

 proportion of each species present can usually only be estimated. 



759. Hermit Thrush, fr. — la grive solitaire. Hylocichla guttata. L, 7' 17. 

 Plate XLIX B. 



Distinctions. Very similar to the last two but the tail reddish brown in contrast with 

 the ohve-brown of the back. 



Field Marks. Brown back and white, spotted breast identifies it as a Thrush. The 

 reddish coloration of the tail contrasting with the ohve back serves for the identification 

 of the species. 



Nesting. On ground in nest of moss, coarse grasses, and leaves lined with rootlets and 

 pine needles. 



Distribution. As a species, all of northern North America. The Eastern Hermit 

 Thrush extends westward to near the mountains and north to the tree lunits,breeding usually 

 just beyond the cultivated districts but irregularly to or near om- southern boimdary. 



SUBSPECIES. The Hermit Thrush is a flexible and adaptable species represented 

 in America by some six recognized subspecies. The typical form is an Alaskan race. 

 Eastern Canada has only one subspecies, the Eastern Hermit Thrush H.g. pallasi-. 



The Hermit Thrush is one of our most famous singers. Unfortunately, 

 it is usually silent as it passes through southern Canada and is heard 

 at its best only in the northern coniferous woods. 



761. American Robin, fr. — le merle d'am^rique. Planesticus migratorius. 

 L, 10. Plate LA. 



Distinctions. The robin is too distinctly marked and well known to require special 

 description. 



Field Marks. The robin is recognizable by those acquainted with the species, at 

 great distances, when no colour is visible, by its outline, carriage, and manner of flight. 



Nesting. Frequently in fruit or shade trees or about buildings, in nest of coarse 

 grasses, leaves, rootlets, etc., with an inner wall of mud fined with fine grasses. 



