50 



KEY AND DESCRIPTION 



FAMILY I. THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. (TCRDID^E) 



This large family (300 species) is usually separated iuto sev- 

 eral subfamilies. 



The Thrushes are generally large, hopping birds, noted for 

 their song, plain colors, and usually spotted breasts. The 

 tail is nearly square tipped, of wide, soft feathers. 

 They are woodland birds of migratory habits; 

 even when, as in the case of the robin, 

 we have them throughout the year, 

 it is probably true that those 

 with us in the winter 

 came from places far- 

 ther north, and those 

 wliich are found here 

 in the summer wintered 

 farther south. 



Townsend's Solitaire The first primary is a 



very sliortone ; > bill rather 

 long and slender ; the upper mandible usually witli a slight notch near 

 the tip. Nostrils oval, the bristly front feathers nearly reaching but never 

 concealing them ; rictus with bristles ;- tarsus booted.* 



Key to the Species 



* Tail about an inch shorter than the wings. (A.) 



* Tail about as long as the wings and with its outer (under) feathers 



broadly tipped with white ; bill peculiarly broadened at base and 

 hooked at tip. Townsend's Solitaire (754. Myndestes toicnsendii), 

 which is pictured abovi-, is sometimes found east of the Hocky 

 Mountains, tliough its usual habitat is westward to the Pacific. It 

 is a dull brownish-ash-colored bird with wings from 4 to 4} inches 

 long. 



* Tail slightly longer than the wings ; no white on the tail, but the under 



tail coverts chestnut. The catbird might be looked for here, as its 

 tarsus is somewhat booted. It will be found in Family V., p. 65. 



