38 NOUTII AMKliK'AN BIKI)8. 



As strtted in " Iiinls of X<iitli Aiiierie:i" some specimens (var. loiifficamla) 

 from Ix'Vontl the Missouri I liver are larj^er tlian eastern birds, with lonurer 

 tails, more rufous beneath ; tlie breast spots darker. lUit, in passing from 

 east to west, tlie change is so insensible that it is inipos><ible to divide the 

 series. 



Habits. This Thrush is a common species throughout a widely extended 

 area, from the llockv ^bmntains to the Atlantic, and from the ]{ed Jliver 

 country, in Ihitish America, to the IJio (Irande. And nearly throughout 

 this entire territory it also resides and breeds, from Texas to the o-ltth paral- 

 lel of latitude. 



It reaches New England early in May and leaves it in the latter part of 

 Septeml>er or the first week of October, its stay varying with the season 

 and the su])ply of its food. It is somewhat irregularly distributed, common 

 in some jjortions of this section, and rare or even unknown in others. It 

 is not found near the sea-coast beyond Massachusetts. It passes the winter 

 in the Southern States, even as lar to the north as Virginia, and is in full 

 song in the neighborhood of Sa.annah as early as the first of ^larch. 



The song of this Thrush is one of great lieauty, and is much admired by 

 all who ap]>reciate woodland melody of t\\Q sweetest and liveliest type. It 

 is loud, clear, emphatic, full of variety and charm. Its notes are never imi- 

 tative and cannot be mistaken by any one who is familiar with them, for 

 those of any other bird, unless it may be some one of its western congenei's. 

 It is a very steady })erformer, singing for hours at a time. Its notes are 

 given in a loud tone, and its song may often be heard to (piite a distance. 



In obtaining: its food the Ihown Thrush is at times almost rjisorial in its 

 habits. In the early spring it scratches among the leaver of the forest for 

 worms, coleo])terous grubs, and other forms of insect food. IJy some it 

 is charged with scratching ui> the hills of early corn, but this is not a well- 

 founded accusation. Berries of various kinds also form a large ])art of its 

 food, and among these the small fruit of our gardens must l)e included. 



This Thrush is a very affectionate and devoted bird, especially to its young. 

 It is also j)rompt in go'""' to the assistance of others of its species when in 

 trouble. Whenever intruders a})proach their nests, especially if their young 

 are far advanced, they manifest the deepest anxiety, sometimes even making 

 a vigorous defence. The writer has a very distinct recollection of having 

 encountered, together with a younger brother, an ignominious defeat, when 

 making his fii-st attem])t to inspect the nest of one of these birds. 



The Brown Thrush is jealous of the intrusion of other birds of its own 

 species to a too ch)se ])roximity to its nesting- jdace, and will assert its 

 love of seclusion by stout battles. In Louisiana the construction of the 

 nest is connnenced (piite early in ^larch ; in Pennsylvania, not until May ; 

 and in the Xew England States in the latter ])art of that month. The nest 

 is usuallv not more than two or three feet from the ground. It is built in a 

 low bush, on a cluster of briers or amon^ vines. I have known it to be 



