162 



L'SEFL'L lUKDS 



its larger size, will at once distinguish it from the following 

 species — the Wilson Thrush or \'eery. with which it \'ies in the 

 matter of song. ]n the latter species, the white breast is more or 

 less tinged with cream and dotted with small, somewhat indistinct 

 brownish, wedge-shaped spots. Its up])er ]iarts are l)rownish l)ut 

 not as bright as in the Wood Thrush. 



The hrst-named bird is 8^4 inches long; the latter (N'eery) a 

 little over 7 inches. Both lay greenish-l)lue eggs in a coarse nest 

 modelled somewhat after the nest of the robin, but the nest of the 

 \'eery is on or close to the ground. The beautiful song of both of 

 these l)irds, coming from the dense woods, if once heard, is never 

 forgotten and they are both important insect-eaters; in fact, the 

 entire thrush family, tho occasional meml)ers may be attracted to 

 berries and fruit, notably in the case of the robin, must be credited 

 with being benefactors of the farmer and fruit raiser. Ftirbes. 

 after a somewhat exhaustive examination of their food habits, 

 states that 61 7^^ of the food of thrushes consists of insects. 



THE BROWN THRUSH OR BROWN THRASHER. 



The excellent illustration here gi\en is sufficient to enable us 

 to recognize this \er\- common, bird of our thickets and fields- 

 Rufus brown above, with black spt)ts on a white ground below, its 



