Family of Wilson's Thrushes Showing Cowbird in the Middle 



The Thrush Family 

 Gilbert H. Trafton 

 Professor of Nature-Study, State Normal School, Mankato, Minn. 



Photographs by the Author 



Nine thrushes are found in the Eastern United States: the 

 hermit, wood, Wilson's, willow, olive-backed, gray-cheeked, and 

 Bicknell's thrushes, and the robin and bluebird. The species may 

 be distinguished as follows: the wood, hermit, Wilson's, and 

 willow thrushes are bright brown above, while the olive-backed, 

 gray-cheeked, and Bicknell's thrushes are olive above. The wood 

 thrush is brightest on the head, the hermit is brightest on the tail, 

 while the Wilson's thrush is of uniform color above. The olive- 

 backed and gray-cheeked thrushes are very similar, but the former 

 may be distinguished by its buff cheeks and eye ring. Bicknell's 

 thrush is similar to the gray-cheeked thrush but smaller. The 

 willow thrush is similar to Wilson's thrush buc slightly darker 

 abo\ 



The characteristics of the thrush family in which all agree are 

 given by Chapman as follows : 



"Length over 5.50; bill moderate, the tip of the upper mandible 

 notched; tarsus smooth, the scales, if any, fused and indistinct; 



185 



