TURDID.E — THE THRUSHES. 



oi 



same species were met with in several places between Fort Yukon and 

 Xulato, always on or near a river-bank and in low and secluded localities. 



They arrive at Nulato about May 15, and prefer the vicinity of water, 

 frequenting the banks of small streams in retired places. Mr. DaU states 

 that he has seen the male bird on a prostrate log near the nest, singing with 

 all his might, suddenly cease and run up and down the log for a few minutes, 

 strutting in a singular manner, then stopping and singing again ; and keeping 

 up this curious performance. Specimens were received from Sitka, Kodiak, 

 Cook's Inlet and Admiraltv Islands. 



Subfamily MIMING. 



Birds of tliis section liave a somewhat thrush-like appearance, but (except 

 in Oreoscopics) with longer, much more graduated, and broader tail ; short 

 concave wings, about equal to or shorter than the tail, usually lengthened, 

 sometimes decurved bill without notch, and strongly marked scutellse on the 

 anterior face of the tarsus. The loral feathers are soft, and not ending in 

 bristly points. The colors are dull shades of brown, gray, or plumbeous. 

 Most of the species, in addition to a melodious native song, possess the 

 power of imitating the notes of other birds ; sometimes, as in the American 

 Mocking Bird, to an eminent degree. All are peculiar to the New World, 

 and the species are much less vagrant than those of the Turdince, — those 

 of the United States scarcely going beyond its northern boundary ; others, 

 again, restricted to small islands in the West Indies or in the Pacific Ocean. 



Genus OREOSCOPTES, Baird. 



Oroscoptes, Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 340. (Type Orpheus montanus. Towns.) 

 Oreoscoptes, Baied, Kev. Am. Birds, 42. 



Sp. Char. Bill sliorter than the head, without distinct notch. Bristles prominent, their 

 tips reaching beyond the nostrils. Wings pointed, equal to, or a little longer than the 

 tail. First quill not half the second, about 

 two fifths the longest ; third, fourth, and 

 fifth quills equal and longest ; second be- 

 tween sixth and seventh. Tail but slightly 

 graduated ; the feathers narrow. Tarsus 

 longer than middle toe and claw by an ad- 

 ditional claw ; scutellEe distinct anteriorly. 



Of this genus only one species is 

 at present known. This belongs to 

 the Middle and Western provinces 

 of the United States and extends 

 from the Pacific coast eastward to 

 Port Laramie and the Black Hills 

 (in winter to San Antonio, Texas) ; south to Fort Yuma and Cape St. Lucas. 



8129 



Oreoscoptes i»07ita>ius. 



