GKAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. 675 



thrushes do not spend tliuir ciitire time on the trees, Itut are oceasioually seen on the 

 ground. 



Just before the season of incubation, the male may be seen chasing the female play- 

 fully through the branches or among the bushes, Hitting from place to place so swiftly 

 that the eye can with difficulty follow their nnjvements. About the last week in May 

 they begin to build. The locality selected is generally a thick clump of low tir trees. 

 The nest is almost always placed in the top of one of these trees, at a height of from five 

 to six feet above the ground. I have seen several uncompleted, Ijut never saw the bird 

 building or near them. Indeed, it is rather careless about guarding its nest, for although 

 it may contain eggs, it is difficult to find the l)ird near. Upon the approach of man she 

 instantly leaves and conceals herself Even when the eggs are removed, neither of the 

 birds appear or make the least remonstrance. Idoubtif they would make an effort to de- 

 fend even their young from the drepredations of man. As I have found several nests 

 containing broken shells of fresh eggs, I also conclude that jays and squirrels meet with 

 very little opposition when they feel inclined to make a meal of freshly laid thrushes' eggs. 

 The birds seem aware of their deficiencies in this respect, for the nest is usually placed in 

 such a position that it is entirely concealed from view, especially from directly above and 

 below, points from Avhich it wovild be likely to be discovered bj' the pilfering jays or squir- 

 rels. It is a singular fact that those birds which carefully conceal their nests, display 

 cowardice when their eggs or young are molested. On the other hand, birds like the 

 jays, crows, hawks, robins, etc., that build in conspicuous places, all make loud outcries 

 whenever their breeding places are approached, and defend them bravely. It is also ob- 

 servable that many species that place their nests upon the ground, trusting to the protec- 

 tive color of their plumage and eggs, invarialjly endeavor to draw away their enemies' 

 attention by feigning lameness, as practised by the Ruffed Grouse, Bay-winged Bunting, 

 the various species of Plover, etc. 



The young Olive-backs are fully fledged by the last of July, and b}' the 20th of Sep- 

 tember both young and old commence tlieir southward flight. The majority leave before 

 the middle of October, but I have met with stragglers who seemed loath to leave their 

 summer homes, although the cold winds of November had begun to blow, and the autumn 

 leaves were fast filling to the ground. The food of this species consists principally of in- 

 sects, but an occasional dinner of ripe berries does not go amiss if it comes in their way. 



1 give this thrush as a bird of Florida upon the authority of Mr. George Boardman, 

 who has taken two in the state in February, one at St. Augustine, and one at Green 

 Cove Springs. 



TURDUS ALICIAE. 



Gray-cheeked Thrush- 



DESCRIPTION. 

 Sp. Ch. Size, form and general coloration, similar to those of the Olive-backed Thrush, the only difler- 

 ence being that the cheeks and ring around the eye are paler, being nearly white, while the throat and breast 

 are buffy white and nut reddieh, and the upper parts are usually, but not always, gray. 



