BIRDS OF NEW YORK 



477 



in the fall from the ioth of October to the 3d of November, a few individuals 

 remaining throughout the winter in the warmer districts. It sometimes 

 tries to winter in western New York, but is usually killed by the coldest 

 weather of January and February. 



Haunts and habits. The Brown thrasher has not learned to tolerate 

 the presence of mankind so well as the Catbird. He prefers hedgerows, 

 thickets, hillside pastures and dry fields overgrown with shrubbery and 

 vines. He seeks his food mostly 

 upon the ground, rustling about 

 and scratching the dry leaves in 

 search of worms and insects 

 hidden beneath them. 



The song of the Thrasher is 

 one of the loudest and richest bird 

 melodies that can be heard in New 

 York State. When one has list- 

 ened to this bird in full song he is 

 sure to carry a memory of the won- 

 derful song which is usually 

 delivered from a lofty perch — 

 sometimes the dead top of a tall 

 tree — where he sings during May 

 and early June by the half hour, 

 especially early in the morning and 

 on cloudy or rainy days. The song 

 bears considerable resemblance to that of the Mockingbird, and anyone who 

 is familiar with the Catbird's song can picture to himself the song of the 

 Thrasher by considering all the " meows " omitted and the notes made 

 fuller, louder and richer until the whole hillside resounds with the melody. 

 The alarm note of the Thrasher is a sharp click, but louder and sharper 

 than the corresponding note of the Catbird. 



The nest is placed close to the ground or even on it, in the midst of 



Photo by Clarence F. Stone 

 Brown thrasher's nest and eggs 



