Mockingbirds— Thrashers WESTERN BIRDS 



FAMILY— MIMID.E: THRASHERS, MOCKING- 

 BIRDS, ETC. 



In this family we have some fifteen species and sub- 

 species of birds which are dull plumaged, the sexes being 

 similar. While some of them come freely about the 

 gardens, others frequent low, bushy growths in open 

 canyons or woodlands, and still others are dwellers of 

 the sage-covered deserts. Most of them mount a bush, 

 tree, or post to sing, but they are as a rule birds of the 

 ground, where they run along in moist places and under 

 cover. The legs are long and strong, the bill large and 

 in some cases much curved, the tail is also long and 

 carried well up. 



Certain members of this family — notably the Mock- 

 ingbird — are famous singers, and none of them lack in 

 musical ability. 



Formerly the Wrens were placed in this family, but 

 the latest classification has given them a family by them- 

 selves. 



GENUS OREOSCOPTES : SAGE 

 THRASHER. 



Sage Thrasher: Oreoscoptes montdnus. 

 FAMILY— THRASHERS, MOCKINGBIRDS, ETC. 



The Sage Thrasher is one member of this family that 

 is found only in the arid sage-brush plains and the 

 foothills of the western United States, breeding from 



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