248 PASSERES : Perching Birds 



TURDID^E (Family Solitaires, Thrushes, etc.): Birds of me- 

 dium size, rather slender; or larger with stout body. Bill much 

 shorter than head, thin and weak; tip hooked. Colors: gray; all 

 or mostly blue; brown, black, and rusty; or spotted below. 



TOWNSEND SOLITAIRE 



(756. Myadestes townsendi) 8^ in. 



Dull gray; conspicuous white eye-ring; buff wing-patch and 

 edging; tail long, dusky, white-edged. Bill very short. 



Form and attitude are very Bluebird-like, except for the long 

 tail. 



In winter feeds extensively on mistletoe berries, in cotton- 

 wood trees of canyons. 



RUSSET-BACKED THRUSH 



(758. Hylocichla ustulata ustulata) 7 in. 



Entire upper parts russet-brown; eye-ring, sides of neck, and 

 chest, buffy; latter with brown wedges; breast and belly white, 

 faintly spotted on sides. 



The conspicuous and extensive brownness of this bird, 

 whether in flight or at rest, is notable and diagnostic. 



Five forms of Hermit Thrush occur in our region, differing in 

 size and color, or both, but not in color-pattern. 



ALASKA HERMIT THRUSH 



(759. Hylocichla guttata guttata) 1\ in. 



Olive-brown above with rufous tail; heavily marked on chest 

 and throat with black wedges; sides olive; median line below white. 



Best distinguished in the field by the rufous tail, which 

 contrasts rather strongly with remaining upper parts. 



Note: A single throaty " chuck" usually uttered in flight. 



