Tri;i)ii)J': — the thrushes. 



31 



•same species were met witli in several places lietweeii Eort Vulcou aiul 

 Nulato, always on or near a rivcr-liank and in low and secluded localities. 



Tiiey arrive at Nulato about May 15, and prefer the vicinity of water, 

 frequenting the banks of small streams in retired places. J\Ir. DaU states 

 that he has seen the male bird on a prostrate log near the nest, singing with 

 all his might, suddenly cease and run up and down the log for a hns- minute.s, 

 strutting in a singvdar manner, then stopj)iug and singing again ; and keeping 

 up this curious performance. Specimens were received from Sitka, Kodiak, 

 Cook's Inlet and Admiralty Islands. 



Subfamily MIMING. 



I'.irds iif iliis section have a somewhat thrush-like appearance, Init (except 

 in Oreosruptcs) with longer, much more graduated, and broader tail ; siiort 

 concave wing.s, about eepial to or shorter tlian the tail, usually lengthened, 

 sometimes decurved bill without notch, and .strongly marked scutellaj on the 

 anterior face of the tarsus. The loral feathers are soft, and not ending in 

 bristly points. The colors are dull shades of brown, gray, or plumbeous. 

 Most of the species, in addition to a melodious native song, possess the 

 power of imitating the notes of other birds ; sometimes, as in the American 

 Mocking Bird, to an eminent degree. All are peculiar to the New World, 

 and the species are much less vagrant than those of the Turdina; — those 

 of the United States scarcely going beyond its northern boundary ; others, 

 again, restricted to small islands in the West Indies or in the Pacific Ocean. 



Genus OREOSCOPTES, B.urd. 



Oroscoples, B.\IRD, Birds N. Am. 1S58, 'H6. (Type Orp/icus vwutanus, Tc_i\VN.s.) 

 Orcoscoptes, Baird, Kev. Am. Birds, 42. 



Sp. Char. Bill shorter than the head, without distinct notch. Bristles prominent, their 

 tips reaching beyond the nostrils. Wings pointed, equal to, or a little longer than the 

 tail. First quill not half the second, about 

 two fifths the longest ; third, fonrtli, and 

 fifth (luills equal and longest ; .second be- 

 tween sixth and seventh. Tail but slightly 

 graduated ; the feathers narrow. Tarsus 

 longer than middle toe and claw by an ad- 

 ditional claw ; scutella3 distinct anteriorly. 



Of tins genus only one species is 

 at present known. This belongs to 

 the Middle and Western provinces 

 of the United States and extends 

 from the Pacific coast eastward to 

 Fort Laramie and the Black Hills 

 (in winter to-San Antonio, Texas) ; south to Fort Yuma and Cajie St. Lucas. 



129 



Oreoscoptfs montanus. 



