NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 395 



reddish-brown, thickly sprinkled over the entire surface, frequently 

 forming distinct wreaths near the larger ends. The average size is 

 i. 08 x. 80, with considerable variation. 



I know not whether to wonder most at the range and variety of 

 this bird's natural song or at his powers as a mimic. In the latter con- 

 sideration I would not dare to place him on the same plane with the 

 far-famed Mockingbird, but the scope and diversity of his natural song 

 notes are something wonderful, and when heard under favorable cir- 

 cumstances fills the mind of the hearer with admiration for the bird 

 whose lyrical powers are among the first of feathered songsters. Never 

 shall I forget the early dawn of a May morning in 1875, when the song 

 of this bird first fell upon my ears. 



I was bent on making a collection of the birds of Franklin county, 

 Ohio, and many a spring morning, often long before daybreak, found 

 me in the woods with my gun and note-book in hand. 



It was one of those mornings when the whole face of creation was 

 fresh and gay ; when the gentle gales were freighted with the odors of 

 budding vegetation, when everything tended to inspire the thoughts to 

 muse on Nature's grandeur. 



The sun's rays had not yet streaked the eastern sky, and the morn- 

 ing's gray cast a lurid light over field and forest. From out the blue 

 firmanent, still twinkling with stars, came the crackling sound of the 

 Purple Martin, and the gutteral cries of herons could be distinctly 

 heard as they winged their way in the calm morning air. The song of 

 the cricket was on the wane and the croaking of the frogs was dying 

 away as the morning dawn was brightening. 



Near by flowed the quiet Scioto, along whose banks the sandpipers 

 whistled, while the cackling and crowing of fowls in the neighboring 

 farms told of the approaching day. 



The gray ness of dawn soon decayed, and the clouds of floating 

 mist vanished before the rising sun. A number of sprightly Gold- 

 finches flew in their undulating manner through the air, and now the 

 leafing trees along the river bank and in the little woods near by 

 seemed swarming with birds ; everything appeared to be animated with 

 beauty, perfume and song. 



I listened to the multitude of mingled voices as they rang out in 

 the pure atmosphere, but they were scarcely distinguishable. In 

 another instant there came a sound surpassingly rich and melodious, 

 " like a voice from the spirit land." It was the plaintive notes of the 

 Thrasher, in the boughs just above me, charming his mate with a 

 love-song of bewitching sweetness. 



