170 VERTEBRATES: BIRDS. 



remaining late in the autumn. Some remain through 

 the whole winter even in New England, but keep in 

 the thick swamps and on the sunny sides of woods. The 

 song of the Robin at the close of the early days of spring 

 is among the sweetest that issues from our groves and 

 orchards. 



The Varied Thrush, T. ncevius, Gm., of Western North 

 America, and accidental on Long Island and near Bos- 

 ton, is nine and three fourths inches long, the wing five 

 inches, and much resembles T. migratorius. 



The Misle Thrush, T. viscivorus, Linn., of Europe, is 

 brown above, the under parts of the wings white, and 

 breast spotted. It is extremely fond of the mistletoe. 



The Genus Saxicola comprises the Stone-Chats, small 

 birds common in the Old World, and one species inhabits 

 Greenland and is accidental in the northern portions of 

 North America. 



The Genus Erythaca comprises the Robin Redbreast, 

 E. rubecula, Sw., Motacilla rubeciila, Linn., of Europe, 

 which is familiar to every one, by name. This pretty 

 little bird is five and a half inches long, brownish gray 

 above, the throat and breast red, and belly white. It de- 

 lights in the presence of man, and often enters his dwell- 

 ing. In the cold weather it sometimes takes up its abode 

 in houses, and, selecting a perch, warbles its song when 

 the day is clear or the fire burns brightly. 



The Genus Sialia is characterized by a short, stout bill 

 slightly notched at the tip, wings much longer than the 

 tail, and the claws considerably curved. 



The Blue-Bird, 5. sialis, Baird, of North America east 

 of the Rocky Mountains, is six and three quarters inches 

 long, and the wing four inches ; the color above uniform 

 azure-blue ; beneath reddish-brown, the abdomen and 

 under tail coverts white. The female has the blue lighter, 

 and tinged with brown on the head and back. The Blue- 



