410 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



TURDUS AONALASCHK^ PALL ASH (Cab.). 

 314. Hermit Thrush. (7596) 



Above, olive, shading into rufous on rump and tail; below, white, olive- 

 shaded on sides ; "Sides of head, eyelids, neck and breast, strongly tinged with 

 buff; throat and breast, marked with large dusky-olive spots. Length, about 

 7^ ; wing, 3| ; tail, 3. 



Hab. — Eastern North America, breeding from the Northern United States 

 northward, and wintering from the Northern States southward. 



Nest, on the ground, sometimes sliglitly above it, composed of weeds, 

 leaves, rootlets and grass. 



Eggs, three or four, greenish-blue, without spots. 



The Hermit Thrush is a regular visitor in spring and fall, arriving 

 a few days before the Olive-backed, and making but a short stay, 

 although it probably does not go so far north to breed as the latter 

 species. Referring to the Hermit, the following occurs in the " List 

 of Birds of Western Ontario ": " Found common in full song in a large 

 swamp, June 22nd, 1882. No nest found, although it was undoubtedly 

 breeding. None observed in summer in any other locality." 



At home, the habits of the Hermit are in keeping with its name. 

 Among the dense shrubbery in some retired spot, it builds its nest 

 and raises its young. There, too, it pours forth its sweet song on 

 the "desert air," where very few have been privileged to hear it. 

 During the seasons of migration the birds come more into the open 

 country, but they are at all times shy and fond of concealment. On 

 these occasions they have only a simple call-note, apparently used to 

 tell their companions where they are. 



This species is found on the Island of Anticosti during summer. 

 Mr. Thompson reports it as a summer resident in Manitoba, and 

 Prof. Macoun found it breeding at Lake Mistassini. 



In the Rocky Mountain region it is replaced by Audubon's 

 Hermit, and on the Pacific coast by the Dwarf Hermit, both closely 

 allied but still differing slightly from the present species. 



Genus MERULA Leach. 

 MERULA MIGRATORIA (Linn.). 



315. American Robin. (761) 



Above, dai'k olive-gray, blackish on head and tail ; below, reddish-brown ; 

 throat, vent and under tail coverts, white, throat with black streaks ; outer 

 pair of tail feathers, white-tipped ; bill, dusky above, yellow below ; feet, dark ; 



