94 BULLETIN 196, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



ern limit of the summer range. Alfred M. Bailey (1927) saw one at 

 Juneau, Alaska, on January 26, and says that "not many winter as far 

 north as Wrangell, however, only stragglers being seen during the 

 milder months." 



George Willett (MS.) found it plentiful at Craig, Alaska, during the 

 winter of 1919-20, and says that it was common at Ketchikan after 

 January 18, 1925. 



In British Colmnbia, Major Brooks (1905) records the abundance 

 of the varied thrush during the winter of 1904-05: "During other 

 winters a few may be seen, even in the coldest weather, throughout 

 the district west of the Cascades. This winter they fairly swarm; and 

 reports from Okanagan show they are even wintering in the cold 

 interior of the Province." 



In western Washington, according to Mr. Rathbun (MS.), varied 

 thrushes are sometimes very common in winter, having moved down 

 from the higher levels into the low country, even down to the sea 

 coast. "On rare occasions and at long intervals, heavy falls of snow 

 have occurred in the lowlands; at such times, this species must suffer 

 severely and sustain a diminution of its numbers. Such an occurrence 

 took place in February 1916, when snow fell to a depth of several 

 feet throughout the Sound region. Tins caused the varied thrushes 

 to appear in very large numbers in and about the cities and towns, 

 wherever there was a human habitation. To this apparent appeal 

 people generally responded. A large proportion of the yards became 

 feeding stations for the birds, who resorted thereto until the bulk of 

 the snow had disappeared." 



Suckley and Cooper (1860), referring to the same general region, 

 say: 



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. * * * 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 tbe common robin, with which it has many similar habits. 



* * * At this time of the year it is a very silent bird, quite tame, allowing 

 near approach; flying up when the intruder comes too near, but alighting on the 

 ground again at a short distance in front. It appears to be fond of flying by 

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

 on fences, bushes, or trees. 



W. A. Kent writes to me: "The winter migration of the varied 

 thrush south into Los Angeles County is a food problem rather 

 than that of climate. Should there be an acorn shortage in Ventura 

 County, north of us, varied thrushes will be here in numbers of from 

 two or three to ten together in the oak groves. They are usually 

 seen in December and January; they were with us during the winter 

 of 1937-38, none in 1939-40, but were here again in 1941-42." 



