morning to niglu ; and it ma\' trul\' be said that, the sadder the day the sweeter is 

 his song. 



The favorite haunts of the Wood Thrush are low, thick-shaded hollows, 

 through which a small brook or rill meanders, overhung with alder bushes 

 that are mantled witli wild vines. Near such a scene the nest is generally built — 

 in a laurel or alder l)rush. ( )ut\\ar(lly it is composed of withered beech leaves 

 of the preceding Acar, laid at the Ixjttom in considerable numbers, no doubt to 

 prevent dampness and moisture from ascending through, as the nest is frequently 

 placed in low, wet situations, .\bo\e these leaves are layers of knotty stalks of 

 withered grass, mixed with mud, and smoothly plastered, above which is laid a 

 slight lining of hne black fibrous roots of plants. The eggs are four, sometimes 

 five, of a uniform light blue color without any s])Ots. 



The Wood Thrush ap])ears always singlv or in pairs. With the modesty 

 of true merit he charms you with his song, but is content and sometimes even 

 solicitous to be concealed. He delights to follow the irregular windings of the 

 brook, where by the luxuriance of foliage the sun is completely shut out or only 

 plays in a few interrupted beams on the glittering surface of the water. These 

 birds are also fond of a particular species of lichen which grows in such situa- 

 tions, and which, toward the fall, 1 have uniformly found in their stomachs. 

 Berries, however, of various kinds are the principal food, although beetles and 

 caterpillars are freely eaten. 



Those who have paid minute attention to the singing of birds know well 

 that the voice, energy, and expression in the same tribe dififer as widely as the 

 voices of different indi\ iduals of the human species, or as one singer does from 

 another. The powers of song in some individuals of the Wood Thrush have 

 often surprised and delighted me. Of these I remember one. many years ago, 

 whose notes I could instantly recognize on entering the woods, and with whom 1 

 had been acquainted, as it were, from his first arrival. The top of a large white 

 <^ak that overhung part of the glen was usually the favorite pinnacle from whence 

 he poured the sweetest melody. I had frequently listened to this song until night 

 began to gather in the woods and the fireflies to sparkle in the branches. P.ut, alas ' 

 "One morn T miss'd him on the 'custom'd hill. 

 Along the heath, and near his fax'rite tree : 

 Another came; nor yet beside the rill. 



Xor U]) the lawn nor at the w(j(jd was he." 



.\ few days afterward, jxissing along the edge of the rocks. 1 found frag- 

 nitnts of the wing- and broken feather^ of a wood tbru-^b killed bv a hawk, 

 and I gazed at them with unfeigned regret 



To be distinguished among its ffllows \>\ it> n\uw i»ulky form, by tlu- golden 

 brown head, bright cinnamon npprr parts, and the largi' round black spots be- 

 neath, sharply contrasting with llu' purr while 



171 



