216 Sketches of Some Common Birds. 



it can be seen and studied. There it discovers most of the 

 traits which we commend, and there it warbles its silvery 

 phrases. That most people are unfamiliar with it is per- 

 haps attributable to its contemplative and solitary dispo- 

 sition, though when migrating, and when living iu the 

 parks of cities, or the inviting parts of the smaller towns, 

 it seems to forget somewhat of its woodland shyness, and 

 will sit calmly while its more apparent characteristics are 

 noted. In spring I have seen it even approach the space 

 around the kitchen door, hopping about in search either 

 of food or nest materials, with the easy familiarity of the 

 robin or the chipping sparrow. One that was making a 

 nest somewhere in the neighborhood one spring made 

 regular trips to our kitchen door-yard, and there picked 

 up strings, rags, and paper, which it fancied would add 

 to the appearance or firmness of the structure. In the 

 introductory paragraph of the chapter on *' Fri-ends of the 

 Highway and Door-yard," reference has been made to 

 the familiarity of this species when living in towns and 

 cities. 



While there is nothing striking in the appearance of 

 the wood thrush, its dress is neat and strictly in accord 

 with its retiring disposition and habits of seclusion. Its 

 upper parts are bright tawny cinnamon-brown, deepest 

 on the head, and becoming olivaceous on the lower back 

 and tail. Its lower parts are almost pure white, with the 

 breast and sides marked with many large blackish spots, 

 and a tinge of buff on the breast. The bill is dark brown, 

 paler at its base, thus corresponding with its pale-brown 

 feet. It is the tawny brown of the upper parts that gives 

 to the species its name of mustelinus^ meaning weasel-like 

 in color. 



This woodland songster has an extensive range, its 

 habitat being all of eastern United States and British 

 Provinces in summer. For the winter it passes out of 

 these regions into Cuba, Mexico, and southern North 

 America. It appears in this locality early in April, the 

 earliest date of its arrival recorded in my journal being 

 April 9, 1883. Its southern migration from this latitude 

 occurs in the last week in September, or the first week 

 of October. 



