BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND. 



FAMILY TURDID^E: THRUSHES. 



ROBIN. 

 TURDUS MIGRATORIUS Linn. 



Chars. Above, dark olive-gray, becoming black on the head and 

 blackish on the tail ; under parts, to the vent, and including the 

 under wing-coverts, chestnut, of a rich deep shade in adult sum- 

 mer birds, paler or variegated with white or gray in immature 

 examples. Throat streaked with white and black. Three white 

 spots on the eyelids. Under tail-coverts and tibiae white, mixed 

 with more or less gray. Wing-quills dusky, edged with hoary 

 ash, and with the color of the back. Ends of outer tail-feathers 

 white. Mouth yellow. Bill of a rich yellow, often with dusky tip ; 

 in the young, dusky. Feet blackish, the soles yellowish. Eyes 

 dark brown. Very young birds are speckled above and below, 

 each feather being spotted. The Robin is subject to albinism, 

 partial or complete ; and instances of melanism have been re- 

 corded. Length, 9.50-10.50; extent, 15.00-16.00; wing, 5.00- 

 5.50; tail, 4.00-4 50 ; bill, 0.80; tarsus, 1.25. 



Summer resident, everywhere abundant. Arrives 

 early in March, and departs about the middle of 

 November; but individuals may be found at times 

 throughout the winter. Breeds in great numbers. 

 The nest of the Robin may be found almost anywhere, 

 the favorite situations, however, being in trees in 



