PERCHING BIRDS 



70"). Brown Thrasher. Todostonid rufuiii 



Range. — Eastern North America, breeding 

 from the Gulf States nortli to Canada. Win 

 ters in the Gulf States and southward. 



This large, handsome songster is found 

 breeding in just such lo- 

 calities as are preferred by 

 the Catbird and the two 

 are often found nesting in .;^^. 

 the same hedge or thicket. 

 The nests, too, are similar 

 but that of the Thrasher is 

 usually more bulky; be- 

 sides building in bushes 

 they frequently nest on 

 the ground, lining the hollow under some bush 

 with fine rootlets. Their three to five eggs 

 are laid during May or June; they are whitish 

 or pale greenish white, profusely dotted with 

 reddish brown. Size 1.05 x .80. 



Greenish white 



Brown Tliruslier 



706. Sennett's Thrasher. Toxostoma loiigirostre sennetti. 

 Range. — Southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. 



Very similar to the last but darker above and with the spots on the breast 

 blacker and more distinct. This species which is very abundant in the Lower 

 Rio Grande Valley nests the same as the last species 

 in thick hedges and the eggs are very similar to those 

 of the Brown Thrasher, but in a large series, average 

 more sparingly marked over the whole surface and with 

 a more definite wreath about the large end. Data. — Corpus 

 Christi, Texas, May 12, 1899. Nest 

 of twigs and vines in a bush in 

 thicket. Six feet from the ground. 



Greenish wliitc 



^'^(k 

 T^ 



rOTa — 708 — 710 



707. Curve-billed Thrasher. Toxostoma 

 en rvirostre curvirostre. 



Range. — Mexico, north to southern Texas and eastern 

 New Mexico. 



This species is a uniform ashy gray above and soiled 

 white below; the bill is stout and decurved. These 

 birds are as numerous in the Lower Rio Grande Valley 

 as are the Sennett's Thrasher, frequenting thickets 

 where they breed in scrubby bushes and cacti. Their 

 nests are rather larger and more 

 deeply cupped than are those of 

 the last species and the eggs can 

 easily be distinguished. They 

 have a ground color of light blu- 

 ish green, minutely dotted even- 

 ly all over the surface with red- 

 dish brown. Size 1.10 x .80. 

 Data. — Brownsville, Texas, April JJiuish green 



6, 1900. 5 eggs. Nest of sticks and thorns on a cactus 

 in a thicket; 6 feet from the ground, 

 421 



