312 LAND BIRDS 
* Nest : Bulky ; in bushes and low trees. 
Eggs: 4; pale greenish blue, sparsely marked with brown. Size 1.12 
X 0.80. 
From November to March the Varied Thrush, or 
Varied Robin, as he is sometimes called, ranges locally 
throughout the western part of California and is one 
of the handsomest of our win- 
ter visitants. Wherever there 
are holly berries, manzanita, or 
mistletoe there are sure to be 
flocks of these gayly 
colored birds. Silent 
s“° and shy, they take 
alarm at first sight of 
an intruder and fly up 
the eafion, lighting 
here and there, but 
keeping well ahead of 
the observer. They 
are often found, too, 
along salt-water 
763. VARIED THRUSH. 
beaches, sometimes in 
** Silent and shy.’ : 
company with the 
Western robin, sometimes alone, but under all cireum- 
stances as silent as if they never sang, contenting them- 
selves now and then with a rare chirp that is without 
the faintest suggestion of their glorious summer music. 
When the first sunny spring days come, the Varied 
Thrush starts on his trip northward, taking it by easy 
stages, and en route he sometimes breaks into a sweet 
