406 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



Nest, in a sapling or low tree, seldom more than twenty feet from the 

 ground, composed of twigs, leaves, grass, rootlets and moss, cemented together 

 with clay. 



Eggs, three or four, deep greenish-blue. 



The Wood Thrush is a shy, retiring songster, little known except 

 to those who are fond of rambling in the woods in spring-time. The 

 favorite resort of the species is in moist beech woods, where the clear, 

 flute-like notes of the male may be heard in the early morning, and 

 also toward sunset, during the months of INIay and June. Were the 

 song of the Wood Thrush continuous, the bird would take the highest 

 rank among the songsters of the grove. Its tones are loud and full 

 of liquid tenderness, but they suddenly break off short, which to us 

 is a matter of regret. 



Eai'ly in ]May they arrive from the south, and are soon generally 

 distributed over Southern Ontario, but they are somewhat fastidious 

 in their choice of a summer residence, and are absent from many 

 clumps of bush in which we expect to find them. They avoid the 

 dwellings of man, and seem most at home in the retirement of the 

 woods, where they raise their j^oung. During September they all 

 move off to the south. 



In the east Mr. White has found this species at Ottawa, but in 

 the west I have no record of it at any distance to the north of our 

 southern boundary. Even in its usual habitat, it is so retiring that 

 its full, liquid notes are seldom heard save by the few who are out in 

 seai-ch of some of the beautiful souvenirs which Nature scatters so 

 profusely throughout the woods in our lovely Canadian spring-time. 

 When will some divinely gifted Canadian appear to sing the praises 

 of our native birds, as men of other- lands have done foi- theirs ? 



Hogg and Shelley have eulogized the Sky Lark in strains so 

 musical that they I'ival those of tlie l)ir<ls they have sought to honor. 



TURDUS FUSCESCENS (Stkph.). 

 • 111. Wilson's Thrush. (756) 



Aljove, luiiform tawiij' ; lielow, wliite, olive-shadecl on sides and strong 

 fulvous tint on breast; breast and sides of neck, with small dusky spots. 

 Lengtii, about 7; wing, 4; tail, 3. 



