BIRDS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS. 91 



acknowledged, regarding the intensity of color and size, 

 that ornithologists will persist in regarding them as char- 

 acters of specific value. And more incomprehensible still 

 is the fact, that well-reasoning ornithologists cannot see 

 the often-repeated and perfectly natural connecting links, 

 both in intensity of color and size, between the two ex- 

 tremes, and miderstaud the fact of their being connect- 

 ing links, but prefer rather to depart from the great and 

 (I believe) unvarying laws that the mighty Ruler of 

 the universe has established for the maintenance of spe- 

 cies inseparable since their creation, and call them "hy- 

 brids." 



If in our furor for forming new species we admit such 

 intangible characters as these to be of specific value, we 

 cannot consistently stop here, but out of this one species 

 alone we must (governed by these laws) make at least six ! 

 For T have seen as many constant stages of plumage among 

 specimens of T. Sivainsonii, besides numerous so-called hy- 

 brids. But enough has already been written by Mr. J. A. 

 Allen in the " Memoirs of the Boston Society of Natural 

 History," Vol. I. Part IV., commencing on page 507, upon 

 this subject, to convince any one who will examine for 

 himself of the invalidity of "Alicioe'' as a species.* Mr. 

 Allen has given the subject much thought, and presents it 

 in the right light. 



7. Seiui'USt aurocapillus, Swain. — Golden-crotmed 

 Thrush, " Oven-Bird." A very common summer resident, 

 found everywhere in the woods. Its curiously covered nest 

 is placed on the ground. Arrives from May 2d to 10th ; 

 leaves about the middle of September. 



* Examine "' Birds of Springfield,' Proceedings Essex Institute," Vol. 

 IV. pp. 56-58; also " American Naturalist," Vol. 11. p. 622. 



t This genus which has long been placed with the Sylvicolidce, I think 

 closely allied to the true Thrushes. Its habits as well as its anatomical 

 structure, give it a place among the TurdidcB. Members of this genus 

 might properly bear the name of Terrestrial Thrushes. 



