254 VEERY. 



brighter plumage, more striking voices, and more inter- 

 esting habits, but there are none whose bearing is more dis- 

 tinguished, whose songs are more spiritual The brilliant 

 Hummingbirds and Tanagers excite our admiration, but 

 the gentle, retiring Thrushes appeal to our higher emo- 

 tions ; their music gives voice to our noblest aspirations. 



Five of the true Thrushes of the genus Turdus are 

 found in eastern North America. Three of them may 

 be mentioned here — the Veery, "Wood Thrush, and Her- 

 mit Thrush — a peerless trio of songsters. The Veery's 

 mysterious voice vibrates through the air in pulsating 

 circles of song, like the strains of an ^Eolian harp. The 

 Wood Thrush's notes are ringing and bell-like ; he sounds 

 the matin and vesper chimes of day, while the Hermit's 

 hymn echoes through the woods like the swelling tones 

 of an organ in some vast cathedral. 



But it is impossil)]e to so describe these songs that 

 their charm will be understood. Fortunately, all three 

 birds are abundant, and a brief account of their haunts 

 and habits will enable any one to lind them. 



The Veery, or Wilson's Thrush, winters in Central 

 America, and nests from northern Illinois and northern 

 Ygg New Jersey northward to Manitoba and 



Turdas/uscescens. Newfoundland and southward along the 

 Plate LXXiii. Alleffhanies to North Carolina. It comes 

 to us in the spring, about May 1, and remains until Sep- 

 tember 15. Near the middle of May it begins to build its 

 nest, placing it on or near the ground. Its eggs are 

 greenish blue, and resemble in color those of the Wood 

 Thrush, but are slightly smaller. 



The Veery's favorite haunts are low, damp woods 

 with an abundant undergrowth. It is a more retiring 

 bird than the Wood Thrush, and is rarely seen far from 

 tracts of woodland. It is to be distinguished from our 

 other Thrushes by the uniform cinnamon color of its 



