228 PASSERES : Perching Birds 



WESTERN MOCKINGBIRD 



(703a. Mimus polyglottos leucopterus) 10 in. 



Brownish gray above; white below, with grayish breast; lores 

 dusky; a white patch on closed wing expands into a large area on 

 open wing a distinctive character; tail long, dull black, with 

 outer feathers white. 



Immature : Similar, but heavily spotted below with brownish. 



Largely a city resident, often almost semi-domesticated. An 

 inveterate singer, by day and night, mimicking phrases of other 

 birds, mixed with many of his own origin. 



BENDIRE THRASHER 



(708. Toxostoma bendirei) 10 in. 



Whole upper parts gray-brown; below pale brownish, with fine 

 dusky streaks, and white throat bordered by dark line; cheeks 

 speckled. Bill short, compared with Palmer Thrasher, which the 

 Bendire most closely resembles. 



PALMER THRASHER 



(707a. Toxostoma curvirostre palmer!) 11 in. 

 Similar to the Bendire, but darker; below grayish, faintly 

 spotted; white throat not bordered by dark line. Bill long (com- 

 pared with Bendire) and curved. 



CALIFORNIA THRASHER 



(710. Toxostoma redivivum) 12 in. 



Wholly dark gray-frroww above, somewhat lighter across chest; 

 ear region darker, white-lined; throat dull white; breast and 

 belly buffy. Bill long, strongly curved a distinctive character 

 in this bird's habitat, and a most effective digging-tool. 



A singer of rare ability and sweetness, surpassing even the 

 Mockingbird in its imitations of songs of other birds. 



