92 The Wilson Bulletin— No. 104 



A TAME BROWN THRASHER. 



In the hope that some bird lover who has lost a tame brown 

 thrasher may read this item and so learn something of the later 

 life of his pet, I contribute this record of a rather unusual exper- 

 iences with birds. 



It was in the latter half of June that the brown thrasher first 

 appeared at our home near Rantoul, Illinois. My mother and sis- 

 ter were at work on the back porch when the bird alighted on the 

 ground. It's apparent tameness attracted their attention, and 

 when it flew to a nearby fence-post my sister went out to it. 

 When sh^e approached, the bird flew to her shoulder, where it 

 stayed contentedly for at least three minutes. 



For two days it stayed about the place, not in the least afraid, 

 in no wise concerned about household activities carried on about 

 it. It allowed the various members of the family to pet it, while 

 it perched upon an arm or shoulder; it ate cherries that my 

 brother fed it, while he held it in his hand; and it showed not the 

 least objection to having its picture taken. The second day it 

 disappeared and we saw it no more. 



We have cast about for an explanation of its unusual conduct, 

 and can find none better than that it was a tamed bird that had 

 strayed from its home. Our farm is a haven of refuge for 

 all birds, so that many nest about the house, and it may be that 

 this bird was one of the several pairs that nested near, and that 

 had become so fearless and unafraid that it seemed tame. But 

 if this were so the bird would hardly have appeared and left so 

 suddenly. The more plausible and reasonable explanation would 

 seem to be that it was a tamed bird that had wandered away 

 from its home, and I am waiting to hear from some one who has 

 lost his pet. 



Sidney E. Ekbl.wv. 



Rantoul, 111. 



TREE SPARROW AT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. 

 I wish to place on record the first occurrence of the Tree Spar- 

 row (SpizcUa VI. monticola) here. Diligent and consistent search 

 throughout the past four winters, by myself and others, has failed 

 to record the presence of this species. To the abnormal and pro- 

 longed cold of the past winter is no doubt due its presence south 

 of its usual habitat. For a month following Christmas, 1917, with 

 the exception of a few hours, the weather remained considerably 

 below freezing, going as low as 13 degrees below zero, with deep 

 snow constantly on the ground. 



