BiKDS OF Indiana. 1155 



Lawrence Eiver and ^lanitoba. Breeds from northern Michigan and 

 southern New York north. Winters from Illinois and Pennsylvania 

 south. 



Nest, in swampy or low places in woods, on ground; of old leaves, 

 weeds, bark-strips, rootlets and grass; contains no mud; lined with the 

 finer materials. Eggs, 4; greenish-blue, pale; .90 by .<o&. 



The Hermit Thrush is a common migrant. It may possibly rarely 

 winter in the lower Wabash Valley and perhaps rarely breeds. Dr. 

 F. W. Langdon says, upon the authority of Mr. Charles Dury, that 

 its nest and eggs were taken near Cincinnati, 0., May 10, 1877 (Journ. 

 Cin. Soe. Nat. Hist., January, 1879, p. 169). 



The Hermit Thrush is the first to an-ive in the spring and the last 

 to depart in the autumn. The early arrivals and tardy departures, 

 however, are but a few of the many who visit us. The bulk of the 

 species are found with us the last half of. April and the first half of 

 October. The earliest and latest spring records at Greensburg are 

 March 28, 1896, April 30, 1895; Brookville, April 12, 1897. May 3, 

 1889; Eichmond, April 11, 1897, May 19, 1897; Greencastle, April 

 22, 1893, May 8, 1895; Carroll County, March 30, 1884; Wabash, 

 March 26, 1894, April 29, 1894; Lafayette, April 5, 1896, May 3, 

 1893; Sedan, April 5, 1893, May 6, 1889; Laporte, April 12, 1896, 

 May 4, 1894; Chicago, 111., April 13, 1897, May 20, 1897; Petersburg, 

 Mich., April 7, 1889, 1893, May 20, 1889. They are found in the more 

 open woodland, along the wooded banks of streams, in the more open 

 second-growth and along l)ushy ravines. In the northern part of the 

 State they frequent damp woods, groves and scrubby growth and about 

 Chicago vacant lots and grounds containing shrubbery. When sur- 

 prised they fly upon a low limb of a tree or bush and remain there 

 quietly eying the intruder. If not further alarmed they soon fly to 

 a neighboring brush pile, thicket oi" the top of a fallen tree and begin 

 anew searching for food. Every now and then one hears their cluck, 

 and even though they are hidden by the tangle of leafless vines and 

 stems, one can imagine they are busy. 



The winter home of the Hermit Thrush was partly in the range of 

 the destructive storms of 1895, and great numbers evidently perished. 

 In some places none were seen that spring; in others, they were scarce, 

 while a few stations report the usual number. About Chicago they were 

 rather common (Elliot Blackwelder, C. A. Tallman); at G-reencastle 

 the usual numbers were noted (Jesse Earlle); at Spearsville (V. H. 

 Bamett) and Lafayette (L. A. and C. D. Test) none were seen; at 

 Sedan they were very rare, only one being obsevred (Mrs. Jane L. 

 Hine). At Palmer, Mich., where they l)reed. Mr. 0. B. Warren writes 



