628 THE BIRDS OF MAINE 



Wilson's and Hermit Thrushes, each however restricted to 

 territory which does not interfere to any great extent with 

 that occupied by the other, these latter remarks only applying 

 to the region about Bangor. 



In migration the Olive-backed Thrush is rather a silent, 

 secretive bird, passing through the shrubbery, thickets and 

 woods, feeding on the ground or in trees, and often catching 

 insects while on the wing. At such times I have heard them 

 utter a cry much like that of the J unco, " chicky-sit " or some- 

 times a " chick " or a " pe-eep " or a " whit." In the breeding 

 season they utter a " puck " quite frequently, and while this 

 seems to serve as a note of alarm or distress, it is also uttered 

 at times when there seems to be no cause for alarm. The male 

 sings rather constantly through the spring and summer, utter- 

 ^ ing snatches of song at almost any time of day, though late in 

 Ithe afternoon and during twilight they seemingly sing most 

 frequently. Generally they perch well up in the branches of 

 trees while singing, rarely singing while lower down or on the 

 ground. Their song and " puck " call are both quite distinc- 

 tive and serve to distinguish them from the Hermit Thrush, 

 j^ The song of the Olive-backed Thrush is ringing, with a slight 

 tinge of harshness not noticeable in the Hermit's song, and the 

 song is uttered more hurriedly and with far less deliberation 

 and pausing to give effect to the notes. For other notes and 

 comparisons of the two, read what is written under the Hermit 

 Thrush. 



As far as I am aware, the Olive-backed Thrush always nests 

 in woods which are entirely or predominatingly evergreen, plac- 

 ing the nest at various heights, rarely as low as three feet, more 

 often at elevations of ten to fifteen, and sometimes even thirty 

 feet from the ground. Spruce, fir, hemlock and pine trees are 

 selected as nesting sites, but ninety nests are placed in spruce 

 or fir to ten in other trees. Only once, at Katahdin Iron Works, 

 did I ever see a nest in a hard wood tree, and this was in a 

 sapling maple which grew into and was surrounded by a spruce. 



