242 THE BROWN THRASHER. 



is five. The nest is always placed near the ground in some sheltered situation, a tuft of rank 

 grass, a thick bunch of heather, or the base of a luxuriant bush, being among the most common 

 localities. After the breeding season, the Ring Ouzels assemble towards the south, collecting 

 together in flocks preparatory to their departure. During this intermediate period they visit 

 the gardens and orchards, and often commit sad havoc among the fruit. 



The general color of the adult male bird is very dark blackish-brown, slightly varied by 

 the blackish-gray edges of the feathers, and the broad gray outer webs of the wing-feathers. 

 Across the upper part of the chest runs a broad, crescent-shaped mark of the purest white, the 

 points being directed upwards. In the young male this collar is not so broad, and of a 

 decidedly reddish hue, and the whole of the plumage is of a lighter brown. Sometimes the 

 white collar is entirely absent, and in some cases white and pied varieties have been known. 

 The total length of the adult bird is about eleven inches. 



ANOTHER well-known example of the Thrushes is found in the common REDWING of 

 England. 



It is one of the finest songsters even among its own melodious group, rivalling the night- 

 ingale in the full sweet tones of its flexible voice. Sometimes the bird sings alone, seated on 

 a favorite perch, but it oftener prefers lifting up its voice in concert with its companions, and 

 fills the air with its harmonious sounds. It has, however, several kinds of voice, sometimes 

 pouring forth its full rich strains, and at other times singing quietly to itself in an under tone 

 that can only be heard at a very short distance. This, however, is only the peculiar sound 

 which is termed "recording" by bird-fanciers, and must not be mistaken for the real song, 

 which, according to Mr. Hewitson, who had every opportunity of hearing this bird, is a loud, 

 wild, and delicious melody. The Redwing partakes so far of the character of the nightingale 

 as to sing after sunset. 



The general color of the Redwing is a warm, rich cinnamon-brown upon the upper parts 

 of the body, the wings are rather darker, except the external webs of the quill-feathers, which 

 have'a grayish tinge, and over the eyes runs a well-defined streak of very pale ashen-brown. 

 The chin, throat, and whole under surface of the body are grayish-white, deepening into a 

 brownish tinge on the sides of the neck, the breast, and the flanks, and profusely studded 

 with longitudinal dashes of the same brown as that of the back. When the wings are closed, 

 the bird very much resembles the common Thrush, but when it spreads its wings for flight, it 

 discloses a large patch of orange-red feathers upon the sides of the body, from which it has 

 derived its name of Redwing. In total length the Redwing nearly reaches nine inches. It is 

 occasionally a straggler in North America, and is therefore in the list of our birds. 



THE MOUNTAIN MOCKING-BIRD (Oreoscoptes montanus), or SAGE THRASHER, is an inhab- 

 itant of the Rocky Mountains ; ranging southward towards Mexico, and northward to Cali- 

 fornia. 



THE CALIFORNIA THRUSH (HarporJiynchus redimvus) is one of the later discoveries, since 

 Audubon's time. Several other species, more or less like it, have also been found since the 

 occupation of the great western plains. 



The Curved-bill, Leconte's, and Palmer's Thrush, all have similar plumage, and are 

 not far from the same size as the California Thrush. 



THE BROWN THRASHER (HarporTiyncTius rufus) is an old favorite of the eastern portion 

 of the country. Its song is pleasant, much like those native to the Mocking-Bird. It is 

 variously called Fox-colored Thrasher, Ferruginous Thrush, and is named in the south, French 

 Mocking-bird. The latter name was given it during the earliest days of the settlement of the 

 country, when everything French was considered inferior, its notes being regarded as less 

 musical than its superior. 



This Thrush is easily raised in confinement, and proves an excellent pet. Its long body 

 and tail make it readily recognizable. 



