WESTERN BIRDS Thrush 



and Dwarf Hermit Thrushes, as well as plenty of Robins. 

 I also enjoyed seeing White-crowned and Golden- 

 crowned Sparrows which had been gone from the south- 

 ern part of the State for a month, but here, at the edge 

 of the forest, were singing their melodious songs. 



We found the Varied Thrushes running about on the 

 ground, in size and manners quite resembling the Robins. 

 But the song was entirely different from any other and 

 once heard could never be forgotten, or mistaken. It is 

 a weird, but inspirational one, consisting of single, long- 

 drawn notes, given in different keys, in a slow, measured 

 way as if life held no haste for the performer. Some 

 of them were high in pitch and almost a trill, reminding 

 one of the shuddery note of the Russet-backed. In its 

 measured intervals this song reminded me of the three 

 notes of the Golden-crowned Sparrow, although the tone 

 was entirely different. This song of the Thrush can 

 be imitated by man, but it is necessary to give a vocal 

 undertone with the whistle. W. Leon Dawson, who has 

 lived among these birds in Washington, gives a good 

 imitation of their wonderful notes. 



Whenever I think of that damp, dark park shaded by 

 those majestic Sequoias, in fancy I see these large, 

 handsome birds and hear their indescribable notes. 



The nest is a large, bulky affair, which is placed right 

 out in the open, near the top of a small evergreen tree. 

 For support the nest is placed near the trunk of the 

 tree, unless some interlacing branches offer suitable sup- 

 port. The eggs are usually three and they are greenish 

 blue, speckled or spotted with dark brown. Two broods 

 are raised from April to July. 



375 



