40 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



geographical race.^ It differs from that bird, slightly in color- 

 ation, and markedl}' as to distribution, habits (song), and notes. 



The Arctic Thrushes are the rarest of those who migrate 

 through Massachusetts, particularly that part which borders 

 upon the sea, since they generally prefer a more inland route 

 to the North than this State affords. I have occasionally' seen 

 them in the latter part of April or in May, but they are shy 

 and veiy timid, so that it is difficult to approach them closely, 

 as, when startled, they fly about restlessly. Perhaps, on this 

 account, they have escaped general observation. They are 

 eminently terrestrial birds, and spend nearly all their time on 

 the ground, picking up their food among the fallen leaves in 

 such places as the Hermit Thrush frequents ; often preferring, 

 however, dry land and solitary spots, where they run but little 

 risk of being disturbed. They stand rather more erectly than 

 the "Swamp Robins" so called {T. Pallasi), but it must be 

 remembered that erectness of bearing is a general character- 

 istic of all " wood thrushes." They pass the summer in the 

 Arctic region, and, on their return to the South, pass through 

 the neighborhood of Boston about the first of October, but are 

 then extremely rare, since " in the fall-migrations they follow 

 for the most part a route far from the sea-shore." 



{d). Their ordinary note is a single low, and perhaps to 

 some ears rather melancholy whistle — " wheu." As to their 

 other notes I am uncertain, and I have never heard their 

 song, but Dr. Brewer, in " North American Birds," sa3's that it 

 is totally different " from that of all our other Wood Thrushes. 

 It most resembles the song of T. Pallasi, but differs from it in 

 being its exact inverse, for whereas the latter begins with its 

 lowest and proceeds on an ascending scale, the former begins 

 with its highest, and concludes with its lowest note. The song 

 of the T. Swainsoni on the other hand, exhibits much less 

 variation in the scale, all the notes being of nearly the same 

 altitude." 



8 If a variety, Swainson's Thrush is the other variety, and tlie Olive-backed 

 Thrush the species including both. 



