GULDEN-CRUWNED TIIKUSH. 



(32-J 



Fig. in:!. Head of adult Golden- 

 tTnwiK'd Thrusli in spring. 



them. N'oar by, a stniiglit, Miiooth-harked magnolia raises its lioad ; while the sweet ^um, 

 bay, blaek walnut and other trees stand so tliickl\' aionnd that their tops are crowded to- 

 getlier. The air is perfumed with the peculiar odor of the leaves of the prickly ash ; and, 

 although it is midwinter, the gi'een fronds of the Hlices, which grow under foot, together 



with the yellow tlowers of the climbing jessamine 

 that are seen on either hand, give one to understand 

 that he is in a semi-tropical clime. 



Fussing onward through this wonderful scene fiir. 

 ther into the forest, he sees a deer suddenly start u}) 

 from a bunch of saw palmetto, which is near, and 

 bound (piickly away. Then perhaps the startled pe- 

 destrian catches a glimpse of the 3'ellow eye and 

 tawny hide of a wild cat, as with a loud snarl it rushes 

 away to hide itself in the deeper woods; or the low, 

 ominous cry ofthepumais heard, as he circles around 

 the intruder, as if endeavoring to ascertain who dares 

 disturb his peace, but ever careful to keep at a respectful distance. All these sights and 

 sound's remind one tliat he is in a locality which is seldom disturbed by man. 



Few bii-d notes are heard in this shadowy wilderness, for the songsters are generally' 

 silent at this season ; therefore the collector is obliged to use his eyes attentively. While 

 so doing he will perceive a small bird making its way quietly about on the ground. Upon 

 closer examination he will be surprised to find that it is the Golden-crowned Thrush, seem- 

 ingly as nnich at home as when in the groves of the North. They are quite numei'ous 

 in Florida during the winter, and are not to be found in pairs while here, but live singly, 

 are very shy and retiring, alway,s silent, and seldom leave the ground, where they may 

 be seen busily engaged in searching Ibr insects, as if their chief business was to look out 

 for luxuries. They may be found in Florida a,bout the first week in November, and remain 

 until April 15th, when they leave for the North, arriving in New England the first week in 

 May, where they soon scatter tln^ough the woods. 



Just before the season of incubation they have much tlie same haljits as the other 

 thrushes; the male is as attentive to his female as any of them, paying court to her by 

 singing his loud and well known melody. While giving his song he commonly perches 

 upon the lower limb of a tree and devotes himself entirely to the performance. When he 

 has finished, he stalks gravely along the limb occasionally moving his tail up and down 

 somewhat slowly. Ilis notes may l)e heard at irregular intervals through the day and 

 sometimes in the night. Although they now spend considerable time among the trees 

 they may frequently be found u})on the ground, where they are jierfectly at home, run- 

 ning swiftly over the fallen leaves, occ-asionally pausing to scratch among them in search 

 of insects. At such times they are full of nervous activity. 



About the first week in June they connnence the work of reproduction. The situ- 

 ation chosen for this |inr[)ose is usuall\ upon .some sloping hillsidt' in the dee]) woods; T 



