40 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS - 
geographical race.® It differs from that bird, slightly in color- 
ation, and markedly as to distribution, habits (song), and notes. 
The Arctic Thrushes are the rarest of those who migrate 
through Massachusetts, particularly that part which borders 
upon the sea, since they generally prefer a more inland route 
to the North than this State affords. I have occasionally seen 
them in the latter part of April or in May, but they are shy 
and very timid, so that it is difficult to approach them closely, 
as, when startled, they fly about restlessly. Perhaps, on this 
account, they have escaped general observation. ‘They are 
eminently terrestrial birds, and spend nearly all their time on 
the ground, picking up their food among the fallen leaves in 
such places as the Hermit Thrush frequents; often preferring, 
however, dry land and solitary spots, where they run but little 
risk of being disturbed. They stand rather more erectly than 
the “‘Swamp Robins” so called (7. Pallasi), but it must be 
remembered that erectness of bearing is a general character- 
istic of all ‘* wood thrushes.” They pass the summer in the 
Arctic region, and, on their return to the South, pass through 
the neighborhood of Boston about the first of October, but are 
then extremely rare, since ‘‘in the fall-migrations they follow 
for the most part a route far from the sea-shore.” 
(d). Their ordinary note is a single low, and perhaps to 
some ears rather melancholy whistle — “ whéu.” As to their 
other notes I am uncertain, and I have never heard their 
song, but Dr. Brewer, in ‘‘ North American Birds,” says that it 
is totally different ‘‘ from that of all our other Wood Thrushes. 
It most resembles the song of 7. Pallasi, but differs from it in 
being its exact inverse, for whereas the latter begins with its 
lowest and proceeds on an ascending scale, the former begins 
with its highest, and concludes with its lowest note. The song 
of the 7. Swainsoni on the other hand, exhibits much less 
variation in the scale, all the notes being of nearly the same 
altitude.” 
6 If a variety, Swainson’s Thrush is the other variety, and the Olive-backed 
Thrush the species including both. 
