110 CITIZEN BIRD 



Belly white. No white ring around eye. 



A Summer Citizen of the United States east of the plains. 



A Ground Gleaner, Tree Trapper, and Seed Sower. 



THE HERMIT THRUSH 



" When we return to the liouse," said the Doctor, " I 

 will show you the Veeiy and Hermit Thrusli also ; for 

 whether or not 3'ou Avill hear the Hermit sing will de- 

 pend very much upon what part of North America you 

 live or travel in, and this bird's song is its chief claim 

 to fame. Through all the southern and middle parts 

 of the States he only pays visits during the fall, winter, 

 and early spring. At these seasons he rarely sings, 

 and spends his time in liop^^ing about the underbrush, 

 searching for insects. In spring and autumn you will 

 see him about the magnolia trees in your yard or gar- 

 den, or in the hedges along roads and the edges of light 

 woods, where wild berries are plentiful. The name of 

 Hermit would naturally make you expect to find a very 

 shy bird, but he is not — only he likes his own company 

 in secret places. When on his travels, unlike most 

 birds, and like all good children in story books, he is 

 oftener seen than heard. At this time you must look 

 for him on or near the ground, for he is a famous 

 Ground Gleaner. 



" At first you may mistake him for a Wood Thrush. 

 But look again — he is smaller ; the spots on the breast 

 are more joined together like stripes ; the rump and 

 tail are a very 7'eddish-hYown^ like ripe chestnuts, differ- 

 ent from the greenish-hrown on the back and head. 

 You will be sure to notice this, for the Hermit jerks 



