BIRDS OF NEW YORK 517 



lands which are well watered and provided with a fair stand of undergrowth. 

 In 1905 I found it in the mixed forest between the Upper and Lower AuSable 

 lakes at an altitude of 2000 feet. It also occurs in various other portions 

 of the Adirondack region, but does not breed in the spruce and balsam 

 forests, as far as I know. In the Catskill region it is somewhat erratic 

 in distribution, but is fairly common in various localities of the mixed 

 and deciduous forest up to a considerable altitude. I have noticed in 

 various parts of the State where this bird occurs that it may be fairly 

 abundant in certain stretches of woodland for several years and then almost 

 entirely disappear, being supplanted, perhaps, by the Veery; but it does 

 not commonly occur abundantly where the Veery is also in possession of 

 the woodlands. It has adapted itself somewhat to civilized conditions and 

 in various cities and parks is a common breeder in the shade trees. This 

 is particularly true of the south side of the city of Rochester, of the lake 

 bank in the city of Geneva, of the northern portion of Central Park in 

 New York City, of some portions of the city of Albany, and various smaller 

 villages in the State. It is to be hoped that it may become more and more 

 adapted to civilization and become as common with us as the Robin. This 

 thrush arrives from the 25th of April to the loth of May, sometimes in 

 the vicinity of New York appearing as early as the 2Oth of April, and in 

 the northern portion of the State not before the I5th of May. In the fall 

 it leaves us usually from the ist to the loth of October. 



Haunts and habits. The Wood thrush is mostly arboreal in habits, 

 singing in the tree tops, sometimes on the dead branches at the very top 

 of a tall forest tree, and feeds to a considerable extent among the branches; 

 but, like all thrushes, the principal portion of its food is gleaned from the 

 ground, his brown back matching well with the dead leaves among which 

 he seeks the beetles, bugs, and snails from which he principally makes 

 his fare. As soon as the wild fruits begin to ripen he partakes plentifully 

 of the June berry, the dogwood, viburnum and wild cherries. I never 

 heard complaints that he has made himself a nuisance among the 

 cultivated cherries and berry fields. 



