90 BIRDS OF FIELD, FOREST AND PARK 



to me that I am held by them for a day or two 

 each year. I also hear this Thrush in June in the 

 wooded parks of New York City, where they 

 arrive in the latter part of April. The nest of 

 the Wood Thrush is made of mud, dead leaves, 

 twigs and grass, Hned with fine rootlets. It is 

 usually placed in a bush or tree several feet 

 above the ground. The eggs are light blue like 

 the Robin's. 



Hermit Thrush. The earliest comer of the 

 Thrushes is the Hermit, and he is the last to 

 leave in the fall. In the veiy first days of April 

 he appears in the city parks of New York, pass- 

 ing on in a week or ten days to his nesting 

 ground north of the latitude of central New 

 England. At this season he is silent, giving no 

 hint of the wonderful vocal power he exhibits 

 when settled down in his summer range. 



The Hermit's dress, olive-brown above, shad- 

 ing to brighter brown on the tail, is duller than 

 that of the Wood Thrush. The breast and throat 

 tinged with buff, have rather faint wedge- 

 shaped marks of brown running into lines on 

 the sides. The best field mark is the bright 

 brown tail, as this is the only Thrush to have 

 the tail brighter than the back. When perched, 

 the Hermit at intervals slowly lifts its tail, a 

 habit followed by no other Thrush. 



For its song, the Hermit is the most admired 

 of all northern birds. Perhaps the Mocking Bird 

 is as much admired in the South, but probably 

 an unprejudiced judge would say that in tone 

 and execution the Hermit is unexcelled. Mr. 

 Matthews pronounces him "the most talented 



