TUBDID^ — THE THRUSHES. 53 



Although a common species throughout the temperate portions of 

 eastern North America, the Wood Thrush cannot be said to be a 

 well-known bird in the same sense as the Eobin, Catbird, or other 

 more familiar species ; but to every inhabitant of rural districts 

 his song, at least, is known, since it is of such a character that no 

 one with the slightest appreciation of harmony can fail to be im- 

 pressed by it. 



The song of the Wood Thrush is of a richer, more melodious tone 

 than, perhaps, that of any other North American bird ; and, did it 

 possess continuity, would be incomparable. It is one of the few 

 birds which the Mocking-bird cannot imitate — he cannot even ap- 

 proach the liquid metallic melody of the Wood Thrush's tones. 

 Yet, just as the hearer becomes an attentive listener the beauti- 

 ful notes cease with disappointing abruptness. 



The favorite haunts of the Wood Thrush are damp woodlands and 

 shaded dells, but he has on a few occasions been known to take up 

 his abode in wooded parks within large cities. It is not often, 

 however, that he is to be met with away from the wild-wood, where, 

 however, he is by no means shy. 



The nest of this species is usually built upon a horizontal branch 

 of a low tree, usually from six to ten — rarely fifteen — feet from the 

 grotind. It is a firm, compact structure, with much mud in its 

 composition. The eggs are from three to five, but usually four, in 

 number, and are of a uniform greenish blue color, thus, as does 

 also the nest, closely resembling those of the Eobin, except in 

 size, being considerably smaller. 



Turdvis fuscescens Steph. 



WILSON'S THRUSH, 



Popular synonyms.— Tawny Thrush; Veery. 



Turdun mustelinus WrLS. Am. Orn. v, 18ia, 98, pi. 43, fig. 3 (nee Gmee.). 



Tardus fiifsceaceiis Steph. Shaw's Gen. Zool. x, 1817, 18'?.— Baikd, B. N. Am. 1S53, 214;^ 



Cat. N.Am. B. 1859, No. 151; Review, 1864, 17.— B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. i, 1874, 



9, pi. i,flg. 5.— CouES, Key, 1872, 73; Check List, 1873, No. 6; ed. 2, 1881, No. 7; B. N. 



W , 1874, 5; B. Col. Val. 1878, 39. 

 Hylocichla fuscescens Bidgw. Proe. U. S. Nat. iii, ISSit, 1()6: Norn. N. Am., 1881, No. 2. 

 Tardus wUsnni. Bonap. Jour. Phila. Ac. iv. 1824. 34.— AuD. Orn. Biog. ii, 1834, 362, pi. 164; 



Synop. 1839, 90; B. Am. iii. 1811, 27, pi. 145. 

 Merula minor Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. ii, 1831, 179, pi. 36. 

 Tardas hrunneus Bkewer, Jour. Best. Soc. vi, 1852, 304. 



Hab. Eastern United States and British Provinoes; wintering in the Southern States 

 and in Cuba, aud breeding in the northern portions of its range. (Replaced in the Rocky 

 Mountains by the allied race T. fuscescens salicicolus). 



