66 TURDID^ : THRUSHES. 



throughout its breeding range, which includes the 

 lower parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. 

 Eggs, to the varying number of three to six, are usually 

 kid twice each season, the first set late in May, the next 

 early in July. The habitual resorts of the Thrasher are 

 those shared with the Cat-bird, and the mode of nidifica- 

 tion is essentially the same ; though there is greater lati- 

 tude of choice in selecting a nesting site, which is some- 

 times on the ground, oftener in low, thick shrubbery, 

 occasionally twenty feet from the ground in a close- 

 foliaged tree. The eggs are readily recognizable, be- 

 ing dull white or greenish-white, thickly and minutely 

 speckled with light brownish or reddish dots ; they meas- 

 ure an inch or more in length, by about four-fifths of an 

 inch in breadth. While the general traits and habits 

 of the Thrasher resemble those of the Cat-bird closely, 

 the former is a shyer and more retiring bird, keeping 

 in closer concealment in the shrubbery, and usually 

 hiding nearer the ground. It is quick and furtive in its 

 movements, and on fearing detection will often long 

 remain motionless, until it sees a chance to steal si- 

 lently away. It is fond of rambling on the ground, 

 where it scratches over the fallen leaves like a Tovvhee 

 Bunting. The song is little inferior to the proper per- 

 formance of the Mocking-bird, though its range of 

 mimicry is much more restricted. Like the Cat-bird, 

 the Thrasher delights to mount to some high or iso- 

 lated perch during the nuptial season, and there, in 

 an easy attitude, with depending tail, loosened plu- 

 mage, and head thrown up, repeat again and again 

 its delio-htful strains. 



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