FAMILY TurdidcE 



migrations straggling eastward to Montana, 

 Kansas, New Jersey, New York and Massa- 

 chusetts. 



The northern varied thrush, a closely 

 related sub-species, is found from the Yukon 

 Delta south to northeastern Oregon in the 

 mountains. 



The varied thrush, Alaska robin, winter 

 robin, or Oregon robin as it is variously called, 

 is a bird of the heavy timbered areas. It is a 

 frequenter of deep woods, of shady fern-clad 

 hills and alder bottoms. It lives near the 

 ground where it seeks its food, turning over 

 the dead leaves in search of fat worms and 

 slugs. When the snow gets deep in the moun- 

 tains it comes down into the valleys to pick 

 at the frozen apples that may be hanging on 

 the trees, or turn over the big maple leaves 

 with a quick flirt of its bill to seize the be- 

 numbed insects that are found there. 



At this time of year the varied thrush may 

 be found along the edges of woods roads or 

 fields where it watches one furtively from its 

 perch on bush or limb. Its orange yellow 

 breast and black collar make its identification 

 easy. Its nest is usually placed in small firs 

 on a limb close to the body of the tree. It is a 

 large bulky nest made of twigs, leaves, grass 

 and green moss. The varied thrush is a 

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