Vol. XXn Trottek, Some iVova Scofia Birds. 62 



iq04 



probably the great abundance of berries in the Late summer on 

 which the young birds are fed. 



The two species of the Hylocichla group of Thrushes wiiich I 

 found in this part of Nova Scotia, presented some interesting facts 

 in local distribution. On the west side of Barrington Bay I found the 

 (^live-backed Thrush the predominant species, while on the eastern 

 side, the Hermit was the only one noticed. I cannot account for 

 this on any other ground than the tendency of individuals of the 

 same species to congregate in the same area. My observations, 

 lead me to believe that the Olive-backed Thrush is the shyer of 

 the two. I saw the Hermit a number of times close to dwellings 

 and it seemed to choose the more open woodland tracts, while the 

 Olive-backed Thrush frequented the heavier growth along the edge 

 of clearings. I have approached quite close to the Hermit and 

 listened to his matchless song delivered from a fallen tree or stump 

 in the clearings at noon-day, but the Olive-backed Thrush was 

 always difficult to approach, and so far as my observations go, is a 

 much wilder bird in its habits. Its favorite post when singing is 

 near the top of some tall spruce or fir ; the bird diving into the 

 undergrowth on the slightest suspicion of an intruder. 



The song of the Olive-backed Thrush seemed to me to be 

 inferior to that of the Hermit ; it starts out well but is finished in 

 a series of squeaky notes. My ear for music, however, is unculti- 

 vated and I am told by those who have a good ear that the Olive- 

 backed Thrush is really the better performer of the two. The 

 Hermit's song appealed to me as a sustained melody throughout ; 

 as though the musician had the ear to appreciate as well as the 

 power to express. Aside from their relative merits as musicians 

 both birds are charming songsters, voicing the very spirit of 

 wilderness solitudes. 



The alarm notes of the two species are quite different. The 

 Olive-backed Thrush when disturbed utters a metallic note, short 

 and sharp, often ending in a curious rolling, querulous call. This 

 note is uttered constantly while the bird is "fidgeting about in the 

 cover near by. I have several times mistaken these shoxx. p ticking 

 notes of the Olive-backed Thrush for the alarm calls of the 

 Ruffed Grouse to her scattering brood. The alarm note of the 

 Hermit has a Catbird quality about it, lower pitched and less 



