6 NESTS AND EGGS OF N. A. BIRDS. 



feet, and again, in the fork of a low bush. The nest, generally 

 strong and compact, is composed of dry leaves intermingled with 

 small twigs, often held together with mud. It is lined with small 

 roots and fine dry grasses. 



The eggs of the Wood Thrush are usually four in number, some- 

 times five, and of a uniform deep-blue tint. They average i.oo 

 by .75 inch. 



The VVood Thrush, without being anywhere a very abundant 

 species, is common throughout nearly every portion of the United 

 States, between the Mississippi river and the Atlantic. It breeds 

 in every portion of the same area, at least as far as Georgia on the 

 south and Massachusetts on the north. Beyond the last named 

 State, it rarely, if ever, breeds on the coast. 



2. HYLOCICHLA FUSCESCENS. 



WILSON'S THRUSH. 



This timid and reliring bird arrives from the South, in the States 

 east of the Mississippi river, between the 1st and 20th of May. It 

 frequents the edges of deep woods and thickets, and often chooses 

 the shelter of shady ravines for its place of abode, where it can 

 dwell unmolested. The nest is usually placed in a low shrub or 

 tangled clump of briars, and occasionally on the ground, and it is 

 generally very secluded. It is composed of grass, leaves, and the 

 bark of the grapevine, and of various trees. It is generally lined 

 with soft skeleton leaves, fine roots and hair. The nest measures 

 about 3 inches in height, 4j^ in diameter, with a cavity from i^ 

 to 2 deep and 3 in width. 



I have examined a number of these nests, and have found them 

 as a rule, very frail — hardl^^ capable of being handled without com- 

 ing apart. The .eggs are of a bluish-green color, not so deep as the 

 eggs of the Cat bird. They average 94. by .64.' 



3. HYLOCICHLA ALICI/E. 



GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. 



This bird "was first met with in Illinois. Since then numerous 

 specimens have been obtained from the District of Columbia, from 

 Labrador and the lower Makenzie River. In the latter regions it 



