OUR BEST SINGERS 95 



the Hermit, but are not so leisurely and serene. 

 When I first heard these Thrushes I was quite 

 puzzled, for I thought they must be young 

 Hermits. A little experience, however, soon 

 taught me to distinguish, and never since have 

 I been troubled. Their songs are heard at inter- 

 vals throughout the day, but toward night their 

 eflForts are almost continuous. Their opening 

 notes are brilliant, and one is led to expect a 

 splendid performance, only to be disappointed 

 with the closing strain. 



The upper part of this Thrush's dress is a 

 uniform olive, rather dull in effect. The throat 

 and breast are cream buflP, the sides of the 

 throat and breast having wedge-shaped spots 

 of dark brown. The eye ring is buff. They 

 usually build in evergreen trees, eight to ten 

 feet above the ground, a compact, cup-shaped 

 nest of twigs, grass, leaves, moss, etc., lined with 

 fine roots and moss. The eggs are four or five in 

 number, greenish blue in color, spotted with 

 cinnamon-brown. They range in summer from 

 northern New England and New York to Lab- 

 rador. 



Gray-cheeked Thrush. This bird is com- 

 paratively a stranger to the majority of bird 

 students. Only during migration are we allowed 

 even a glimpse, and that is only for those who 

 look closely; for they often travel in company 

 with the Olive-backed, which they so closely 

 resemble in color as to be almost impossible to 

 identify, unless one has both in his hands. 

 Their numbers at best are not large. They are 

 shy, and when found are pretty sure to get 



