THE THRUSHES 



Their breasts are white or buff, streaked or spotted; their 

 tails are short; their eyes, large and lustrous. Their 

 movements are quick, yet graceful. Their demeanor is 

 gentle, though I have seen them strongly aroused when 

 nest or young was disturbed. 



THE WOOD THRUSH 



The Wood Thrush is the best known of these thrushes. 

 It may be identified by its large size (a little over 8 

 inches) ; by its bright brown head, dull brown back, wings, 

 and tail; white under parts that are heavily spotted, es- 

 pecially on the breast and sides; and by distinct streaks 

 below the eyes. 



Note: Its call-note is a sharp pit; its song a series of sweet 

 Song: cadences beginning with the liquid syllables ah-oh- 



ee? Four phrases often constitute the song, be- 

 tween which a soft purring sound is frequently 

 heard, if one is ne£ir the singer. 

 Habitat: Wood thrushes may be found in open groves, parks, 

 and wooded pastures, on large estates, emd along 

 secluded roads. They are rarely found near farm- 

 buildings, but occasionally live in gardens and or- 

 chards. 



A pair of thrushes once nested in a tree on a slope 

 just back of a house where I chanced to be a guest. The 

 mother-bird had begun her brooding, when carpenters 

 arrived to build some steps near her chosen home. Fright- 

 ened, she fled, and remained away for a time. Finally 

 mother-love overcame her fears and she returned. The 

 workmen were asked to do her no harm; they became inter- 

 ested in her, and she trustful of them. She let them ap- 



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