The Varied Thrush {ixoreus naevius) 



By Lynds Jones 



The Varied Thrush is one of the most beautiful members of the family of 

 thrushes. Its range is somewhat limited as it frequents only the coastal regions 

 of the northwestern part of North America. In winter, however, it may be found 

 in California and is occasionally seen as far south as Lower California. As a 

 straggler, it is sometimes noticed in the New England states. 



Mr. Mitchell says that the Varied Thrush reached the Columbia river in its 

 southward flight some time in October. He also states that "at this time they flit 

 through the forests in small flocks, usually frequenting the low trees, on which 

 they perch in perfect silence and are at times very timorous and difficult to ap- 

 proach, having all the sly sagacity of the robin." In fact this bird, which is often 

 called the Western Robin, is not only much more shy and retiring than our 

 well known eastern friend, but their song is also very different, "consisting only 

 of five or six notes in a minor key and a scale regularly descending." Mr. Town- 

 send speaks of the song as being louder, sharper and quicker than that of the 

 robin and adds that its song just before its northward flight, in the spring, is 

 pleasant. Its song is seldom heard except from the tree tops, and in summer, 

 as a rule, only from the deeper forests. 



Dr. Suckley describes the Varied Thrush as he studied it in Oregon and 

 Washington. He says: "In winter it is a shy bird, not generally becoming 

 noticeable in the open districts until after a fall of snow, when many individuals 

 may be seen along the sand beaches near salt water. They are at such times tame 

 and abundant. I suppose that they are driven out of the woods during the heavy 

 snows by hunger. It may then frequently be found in company with the robin, 

 with which it has many similar habits. At this time of the year it is a very silent 

 bird, quite tame and will allow near approach. It appears to be fond of flying 

 by short stages in a desultory manner, sometimes alighting on the ground, at 

 other times on fences, bushes or trees." 



Mr. Cooper, speaking of the bird as he found it near San Francisco, says that 

 they begin to appear in October, when "they are usually timid, but toward spring 

 come more familiarly around houses and utter their shrill, low notes, which 

 seem much more distant than the bird itself really is. If pursued they hide, and 

 sit unmovable among the foliage." 



The bird is also known by several other names, such as the Spotted, Golden, 

 Painted or Columbia Robin or Thrush, and sometimes it is called the Thrush-like 

 Mockingbird. A marked characteristic of the male is the black crescent on the 

 breast. 



Mr. Davie describes the nest as found by Dr. Minor in Alaska: "Its base and 

 periphery are composed of an elaborate basket-work of slender twigs. Within 

 these is an inner nest consisting of an interweaving of fine dry grasses ana long 

 gray lichen." The eggs are said to be a light greenish-blue, slightly sprinkled 

 with spots of a dark umber-brown. 



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