34 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



(d). The voice of the Wilson's Thrushes is not so fine as 

 that of the Wood Thrush, and, when heard from a near stand- 

 point, sounds peculiarly muffled, though, when heard at a 

 greater distance, it becomes mellow and much clearer. From 

 the first of June until the time of their departure (the first of 

 September) draws near, one may often hear in the day-time 

 the simple song of these birds, " cheeury, cheeury, cheeury ," 4 

 which they give utterance to, generally from some bough in 

 the pine-groves, or the other woods which they frequent. It 

 is in the summer-evenings that this song is somewhat pro- 

 longed, becoming " more glorious"; and the male, when his 

 mate is on her nest, sometimes repeats it at night, whence he 

 is among the birds, upon whom the epithet " Nightingale " has 

 been bestowed. 



The ordinary note of the " Veeries " is a characteristic and 

 peculiar chirp, a liquid sound, often uttered in a seemingly 

 petulant and melancholy tone ; besides which they often give 

 utterance to chips, chicks, u lisps" like those of the Cedar-bird, 

 and a harsh " grating " sound, much like that of other birds 

 and peculiar to the mating-season. 



The two thrushes already described are summer-residents in 

 Massachusetts. The other (typical) thrushes, whom I am 

 about to describe, only pass through this State, spending their 

 summers in a more northern climate. 



(C) PALLASI. Hermit Thrush. "Swamp Thrush." "Sivamp 

 Robin." 



(Common near Boston in April and October.) 



(a). About seven inches long. Above, soft dusky-olive, 

 becoming rufous on the rump and tail. Under parts white ; 

 breast buff-tinged and darkly spotted ; sides olive-shaded. 



(&). The nest of the Hermit Thrush, which has rarely been 

 found in Massachusetts, is placed almost invariably upon the 



4 This chant, which is not unlike some of the Wood Thrush's music, consists of 

 three or four triplets on a descending scale, in each triplet the first note being the 

 highest. 



