408 BULLETIN 195, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



digging operation, but most of the dirt is thrown backward. Rather large ob- 

 jects may be thus moved ; I once saw a California thrasher toss a clod of dirt 

 half the size of my fist a distance of nearly 2 feet. 



The bill is not always kept closed during the digging operation ; the mandibles 

 are frequently separated by a few millimeters, being then driven into the ground 

 like a two-pronged fork rather than a single pick. This was seen more often 

 in the "hooks" and "pulls" than in the "lateral sweeps". Once an opening is 

 made in the ground surface, many direct downthrusts or pokes are made. When 

 digging, the bird frequently stops, cocks its head far to one side, bringing one 

 eye to bear directly on the work, and seems to peer into the excavation. 



* * * All parts of the body except the wings are brought into play in this 

 operation, each contributing its share to the sum of the forces which produce 

 the powerful digging strokes and the return of the body to an easy, balanced 

 position. 



That the use of the bill for opening nuts may involve a possible 

 hazard is indicated by a manuscript note from Mrs. Amelia S. Allen, 

 of Berkeley : "One came to the tray with a hazelnut stuck on its beak. 

 It tried to knock it off by striking it against the tray; then flew to 

 the ground and pecked; then to a branch where it rubbed the shell 

 against its foot. It disappeared in the brush with the shell still on 

 its beak." 



Though most of the habitat of this species is deficient in water, the 

 thrashers make frequent use of it in hot weather if it is provided. 

 They appear to drink very copiously, but it may be merely that the 

 shape of the bill makes drinking a tedious process. In view of the 

 fact that wasps are reported to make up a considerable portion of 

 their diet, it is strange to note the almost ludicrous attitude of alarm 

 induced by the arrival of one of these insects at a bird bath where a 

 thrasher is drinking. In cooler weather, water is utilized for bathing, 

 which is done in a practiced and thorough manner. 



Under only one circumstance does the California thrasher forget 

 its affinity for the earth and its inclination to remain as close to it as 

 possible. Wlien it feels the urge to sing it seeks the most conspicuous 

 position available, the topmost twig of a large bush or small tree. The 

 song ended, it spreads its wings and glides back to earth. At no time 

 does it share the fondness of many other ground-foraging birds for 

 the roofs of buildings. 



Voice. — The California thrasher is not ordinarily a voluble bird, 

 nor are its call notes varied. As it goes about its usual business it 

 occasionally utters a flat and unmusical chcwk, or more rarely a harsh 

 note of alarm. It is only when it mounts to the top of a bush or tree 

 and pours out its rich song that its vocal abilities may be appreciated. 



At its best, the song of the thrasher is one of the finest of bird songs, 

 probably less fluent than that of the mockingbird, but deeper and 

 richer. Its quality varies greatly, probably both with the ability of 

 the individual and the mood of the singer. Mrs. Sargent (1940) found 

 that a female which she watched for more than a year also sang on 



