358 VEERY THRUSH 



Thrushes. 



The Thrushes are the quiet, brown, woodland 

 choristers, the most famous of American songsters. 

 They are named with the Skylark and Night- 

 ingale, but it is said their songs have more rich- 

 ness and spirituality than either of the far-famed 

 Europeans. 



Thrushes are easily recognized, for, barring the 

 Robin, they all have plain, brown backs and 

 white, spotted breasts. 



Like the Robin they are often seen on the 

 ground, where they feed on grubs, worms, and 

 beetles found by turning up the leaves ; but in 

 fall they are found on the elder bushes, and it is 

 well to take the hint and plant the berries for 

 them. 



Veery Thrush ; Tawny Thrush ; Wilson's 

 Thrush: Turdus fuscescens. 



(See Fig. 220, 2, p. 361.) 



Uiiper parts uniformhj warm brown ; breast tawny, slightly 

 marked with small dark spots. Length, about 71 inches. 



Geogkaphic Distkibution. — Eastern North America ; breeds 

 from northern Illinois and Pennsylvania to Manitoba and 

 Newfoundland, and southward along the Alleghanies to North 

 Carolina ; winters in Central America. 



The Veery is a peculiarly companionable bird 

 to those who live near its haunts. It will become 

 so tame as to nest close to a house if not dis- 

 turbed, and when sought in its natural woodland 



