THE AMERICAN ROBIN. 241 



ports the species as "very common e\'er\\vhere, especially on the small wooded 

 'islands.' "^ 



When disturbed in its nesting haunts the Hermit Thrtish has a nasal 

 scolding cry, not tmlike that of the Oregon Towhee. This note lacks the 

 emphasis of Towhee's, tho its dual character is still apparent — Murrry or 

 Mtirre. But one forgets all tri\'ial things as he listens to the angelic requiem 

 of the Hermit at eventide. Not Orpheus in all his glory could match that, — 

 for he was a ])agan. 



No. 98. 



AMERICAN ROBIN. 



A. O. IT. No. ,761. Planesticiis migratoriiis (Linn.). 



Synonym. — Eastern Robix. 



Description. — Adult male: Head black, interrupted by white of chin and 

 white with black stripes of throat; eyelids and a supraloral spot white; tail 

 blackish with white terminal spots on inner webs of outer pair of rectrices ; wings 

 dusky except on external edges ; remaining upperparts grayish slate ; below, — 

 breast, sides, upper belly and lining of wings cinnamon-rufous; lower belly and 

 crissum white, touched irregularly with slate; bill yellow with blackish tip; feet 

 blackish with yellowish soles. Adult female: Similar to male, but dtiller; black 

 of head veiled by brownish. Adults in tiinfcr: Upperparts tinged with brown, 

 the rufous featliers, especially on belly, with white skirtings. Imutaturc: Simi- 

 lar to adult, but head about the color of back; rufous of underparts paler or 

 more ochraceous. l^ery young birds are black spotted, above and below. Length 

 about 10.00 C254) ; wing 5.08 (129) ; tail 3.75 (95.3) ; bill .78 (19.8). 



Recognition Marks. — "Robin" size; cinnamon-rufous breast; the "corners" 

 of the tail conspicuously white-tipped, as distinguished from P. in. propinquus. 



Nesting. — Does not breed in Washington. Nest and eggs as in next Lsub) 

 species, save that eggs 4 or 5, sometimes 6. 



General Range. — Eastern and northern North America westward nearly to 

 the Rock\- Motnitains and northwestward to valley of Kowak River in Alaska ; 

 breeds from the southern Alleghenies, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, etc., northward; 

 winters in Gulf States ; south irregularly across the Western States during 

 migration. 



Range in Washington. — An early spring (and late fall?) migrant, both 

 sides of the Cascades. Winters sparinglv on Puget Sound. 



Authorities. — I'urdus ini</inti>yiiis Brewster, ?>. N. O. C. \'II., Oct. 1882, 

 p. 227. B. E. 



Specimens. — R. E. 



a. .\ulc. Vol. XV., April, 1898, p. 130. 



