WESTERN BIRDS Thrush 



has round spots. Since this is the only Thrush having 

 the tail brighter than the back, it is easy to identify. 



Though these birds are sometimes seen along the 

 wooded roadways, and even at times venture to the 

 haunts of man, they are primarily dwellers of the forests 

 and must be sought for if seen. Though of a retiring 

 disposition, it is not a really shy bird. Besides having 

 the habit of slightly lifting the tail when perching, the 

 twitching of the wings is a Thrush trait. It is similar 

 to that given by the restless little Kinglet. 



Most writers attribute one of the finest songs to this 

 bird; it is of interest, therefore, to note that so keen an 

 observer as Wilson seems to think the bird almost voice- 

 less. In comparing it with the Wood Thrush he says 

 that it is "altogether destitute of the clear voice and 

 musical powers of that charming minstrel." Again, 

 speaking of the rarity of the bird in Pennsylvania, he 

 says: 'Tn both seasons it is mute, having only, in spring, 

 an occasional squeak like that of a young stray chicken." 

 Surely a queer comparison for the liquid note of the bird. 



In another particular Wilson's account differs from 

 those who have observed this Thrush in the north. There 

 it is listed as nesting on the ground, in damp, wooded 

 places or thickets, building a large nest of pine needles, 

 mosses, leaves, and fibers. Wilson tells of finding one 

 of them nesting in the cane swamps of the Choctaw 

 nation on the 12th of May, the nest being on a hori- 

 zontal branch immediately over the path. He says: 

 "The female was sitting, and left it with great reluctance, 

 so that I had nearly laid my hand on her before she 

 flew. The nest was fixed on the upper part of the body 

 of the branch, and constructed with great neatness; but 

 without mud or plaster, contrary to the custom of the 

 Wood Thrush. The outside was composed of a consid- 

 erable quantity of coarse rooty grass, intermixed with 

 horsehair, and lined with a colored, thread-like grass, 



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