112 CITIZEN BIRD 



reaches his high notes, that sound as clear as the music 

 of a mountain brook, a strange feeling will suddenly 

 come over you. You will forget that you belong to 

 House People and that he is a bird ; you will think he 

 is telling you something in words that you understand 

 — a message that makes you think about pure and 

 holy things. The songs of some birds please the ear 

 alone, but this little brown Hermit sings to your con- 

 science. Some call him the Spirit of the Pines. If, 

 however, you never hear his song you can remember 

 that the Hermit is the brown bird with the rusty tail 

 and speckled breast that hops among your bushes in 

 spring and fall. You must be very kind to him, and 

 tell your pet cat about him, warning her never to touch 

 him." 



The Hermit Thrush 



Length about seven inches. 



Upper parts an even olive-brown, except the tail, which is rich 

 reddish-brown, different from the rest. 



Throat and breast light buff, with black spots that run together 

 in chains. 



Belly white. A yellowish ring around the eye. 



A Summer Citizen of the northern parts of eastern North 

 America, spending the winter south of its summer home. 



A Ground Gleaner, Tree Trapper, and Seed Sow^er. 



THE OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH 



" Children who live where the Hermit Thrush sings 

 will also have a good chance to hear the Olive-back 

 give his rapid bubbling music ; for, like the Hermit, he 

 prefers a cool summer climate, and thinks that the 

 mountains agree Avith his health much better than the 



