THE THRUSHES 



Bicknell's Thrush: "Bitknell's Thrush, a closely related 

 form, while having somewhat the same general 

 range, breeds farther south and nests in the moun- 

 tains of northern New York and New England. The 

 species does not seem to be very abundant any- 

 where." ^ 



Their resemblance to each other and to the olive- 

 back makes them difficult to identify. The absence 

 of buff from the head differentiates them from the 

 latter species, which is a difference not readily ob- 

 served except by experienced ornithologists. Bick- 

 nell's thrush is smaller than the gray-cheeked thrush. 



THE VEERY 



The Veery or Wilson's Thrush is slightly smaller than 

 the wood thrush (7/4 inches), and is a lighter and 

 more uniform brown above. It has a whitish throat and 

 belly, and grayish sides. The 'breast and sides of the 

 throat are a soft buff, with faint spots of brown. Its 

 light brown upper parts and its less conspicuous markings 

 distinguish the veery from other thrushes. 



Note: Its call-note is a whistled whee'-u, — loud, clear, and ut- 

 tered frequently. 



Song: The song is inexpressibly beautiful, — like organ-chords, 

 or those that fill the Baptistery of Pisa when the 

 Italian guide blends tones for the delight of listeners. 

 A veery 's song cannot be described; the whee'-u may 

 reveal the singer's whereabouts, and aid in identi- 

 fication. This bird has brought me pleasure many 

 times, for it forms one of the chorus that sing their 

 matin- and even-songs in a spruce grove across the 

 road from our cottage in Maine. Still other veeries 

 chant with hermit thrushes in more distant woods. 



1 Bulletin 280, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Biological Survey. 



[287] 



