64 



BLBOS UF UXINOIS. 



being occupied by a larger, grayer, race, while in the Pacific coast 

 district a dwarf race takes its place. These two geographical forms 

 being Kiitliciontly distinct to rank as subspecies they need not be 

 mentioned further hero. 



The "Oroinul Swaiup Kobin," as this species is known in parts of 

 New Eiighmd in contradistinction from its relative, the Olive-backed 

 ed Thrush, (called "Swamp Eobin") breeds from Massachnsetts north- 

 ward, and passes the winter from the Middle States, or from about the 

 parallel of KT to the Gulf coast. It has been found common in winter in 

 vicinity of Washington, D. C, during the severest weather, the mercury 

 registering -1C°. Most of the habits of this species arc very similar to 

 those of its congeners. Its song is said by Dr. Brewer to be "very 

 line, having many of the characteristics of that of the Wood Thrush. 

 It is as sweet, has the same tinkling sounds, as of a bell, but is 

 neither so powerful nor so prolonged, and rises more rapidly in its 

 intonations. It begins with low, sweet notes, and ends abruptly 

 with its highest, sharp ringing notes." 



Genus Meriila Leach. 



Menila LBAcn, Syst. Cat. Miunm. and Birds. ISIC. p. 20. Type. Turrinn merttla Linn. 



Gen. CiiAii. Tail about four-llfths n8 lone as the wine and more than throe times as 

 lone as the tarsus. sliBhtly roiindod; tarsus a little lontior thtin commissure. oxcocillnB 

 middle too and <daw by U'ss than the lencth of the latter; 3d. 4th, and r>th quills loncest. 

 the 'Jd about equal to the Cth, never much loneer or shorter. 3d to nth quIUs with outer 

 widjs sinuated. Outstretched feet not reachinK beyond the middle of the tail. Plumaeo 

 variable, but never distinctly spotted beneath, except In young. Sexes sometimes very 

 dilTerent in plumace. 



The above characters apply equally well to the type species, M. 

 memla (the European Blackbird) and the North American repre- 

 sentative congener, M. migratoria. The former, however, has the 

 tail a little longer, proportionally, has the bill decidedly narrower 

 at the base, and has the plumage uniform black in the male, gray- 

 ish brown in the female. 



North America possesses only two species of this genus, the com- 

 mon so-called Robin (.1/. mhjmlorin) and the 3/. coiijinis (Baird) of 

 Lower California, the latter being very distinct. 



