LOVE OF SOLITUDE. 221 



while in the Antilles on a collecting tour for 

 the United States National Museum; and the 

 bird's character, as shown in captivity, so closely 

 resembled the one I have tried to depict, that I 

 give it as evidence that others have similarly 

 interpreted the manners of the family. 



To begin with his love of solitude, one of the 

 strongest characteristics of the Myadestes wher- 

 ever found. It is that more than anything else 

 which, in connection with his wonderful song, 

 has wrapped the bird in mystery, and aroused 

 the superstitions of the natives of the countries 

 in which he lives. Mr. Ober says, and every 

 one of the few observers who have succeeded in 

 seeing the bird confirms the statement, that he 

 is found only in the most solitary places, inac- 

 cessible mountains, wild, gloomy ravines, and 

 dark, impenetrable gorges. Here the graceful 

 bird delights to dwell, calling and singing from 

 his post on a branch overhanging the perpen- 

 dicular cliffs, hundreds of feet above the level 

 earth. One of them, indeed, secures his be- 

 loved solitude by inhabiting the craters of ex- 

 tinct volcanoes. 



In sprightliness of manner this bird of soli- 

 tude reminds one of the catbird, whom he also 

 greatly resembles in looks. He has the quick 

 darting movements of the flycatchers, and at the 

 same time a strange, preoccupied air, that seems 



