TURDID.E — THE THRUSHES. 



31 



same species were met with in several places ]>etweeii Fort Yukon and 

 Xulato, always on or near a river-))ank and in low and secluded localities. 



They arrive at Xulato about May 15, and prefer the vicinity of water, 

 frequenting the banks of small streams in retired places. ^Ir. Dall states 

 tliat he has seen the male bird on a prostrate log near the nest, singing with 

 all his might, suddenly cease and run up and down the log for a few minutes, 

 struttuig in a singular manner, tlien stopping and singing again ; and keeping 

 up this curious performance. S[)eciinens were received from Sitka, Koiliak, 

 Cook's Inlet and Admiralty Islands. 



SUBFAMHY MIMINiE. 



I»irds of this section have a somewhat thrush-like appearance, but (except 

 in Orcosroptes) with longer, much more graduated, and broader tail ; short 

 concave wings, about equal to or sliorter than the tail, usually lengthened, 

 sometimes decurved bill without notch, and strongly marked scutellie on the 

 anterior face of the tarsus. The loral feathers are soft, and not ending in 

 bristly points. The colors are dull shades of brown, gray, or plumbeous. 

 Most of the species, in addition to a melodious native song, possess the 

 power of imitating the notes of other birds ; sometimes, as in the American 

 Mcjcking Bird, to an eminent degree. All are peculiar to the Xew World, 

 and the si)ecies are much less vagrant than those of the Turdincv, — those 

 of the United States scarcely going beyond its northern boundary ; others, 

 again, restricted to small islands in the West Indies or in the Pacific Ocean. 



Genus OREOSCOFTES, Baird. 



Oroscnpfes, Baikd, Birds N. Am. 18.^8, 346. (Type Orp/tcus viontanus, Towxs.) 

 Oreoscoptes, Baikd, Rev. Am. Birds, 42. 



Sp. Char. Bill sliorter than the head, without distinct notch. Bristles prominent, their 

 tips reachinj,' beyond the nostrils. Winjjfs pointed, equal to, or a little longer than the 

 tail. First quill not half the second, about 

 two fifths the longest ; third, fourth, and 

 fifth (piills equal and longest ; second be- 

 tween sixth and seventh. Tail but slightly 

 gra<luated ; the feathers narrow. Tarsus 

 longer than midtUe toe and claw by an ad- 

 ditional claw ; scutellie distinct anteriorly. 



Of this genus only one species is 

 at present known. This belongs to 

 the Middle and Western provinces 

 of tlie United States and extends 

 from the Pacific coast eastward to 

 Fort Laramie and the Black Hills 

 (in winter to San Antonio, Te.xas) ; south to Fort Yuma and CajMi St. Lucas. 



t»129 



Oreoscoptfs montanus. 



