68 NEW- YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 



THE BROWN THRUSH. 



Orpheus rufus. 



plate xxxvhi. fig. 82. 



(STATE COLLECTION. Male and female.) 



Ferruginous Thrush. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 83, pi. 14, fig. 1. 

 Turdus rufus. Bonapakte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 75. 



Ferruginous Thrush. Audubon, folio, pi. 116 ; Orn. Biog. Vol. 2, p. 102, and Vol. 5, p. 411. 

 Ferruginous Thrush or Thrasher. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 328. 

 Fox<olored Mocking-bird. Richabdson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 189. 



Ferruginous Mocking-bird. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 3, p. 9, pi. 141 (male and female). 

 Ferruginous Thrush. Gikaud, Birds of Long Island, p. 85. 



Characteristics. Reddish brown ; beneath whitish, spotted with black. Wings with two 

 whitish bands. Length, 10-11 inches. 



Description. Bill long and rounded ; the notch obsolete. Wings rounded, three and a 

 half inches shorter than the tail ; the outer feathers of the tail an inch shorter than the middle 

 ones. Feet robust. 



Color. Above bright reddish ; beneath yellowish white ; the breast and sides with arrow- 

 headed dark brownish spots. Wings above with two series of white spots, forming bars. 

 Lower mandible whitish at its base. Iris yellow. Legs dusky black. Female : Bars on 

 the wings more narrow, and the spots on the breast smaller. 



Length, 11 -5 -21-0. Alar extent, 13-0- 13-5. 



This delightful songster has various popular names in different districts. He is called the 

 French Mocking-bird, Ground Thrasher, Ground Mocking-bird and Brown Thrasher. 

 Although a few have been known to remain during a mild winter in the State, yet it usually 

 winters farther south. It ranges throughout North America from 30° to 54° north. It usually 

 arrives here from the south towards the end of April, and breeds in every part of the State. 

 Its nest is built on or near the ground ; the eggs are from four to six, greenish white, with 

 numerous dots of brown (" dull buff," Audubon). It feeds on worms, insects and various 

 kinds of berries, and is readily domesticated. 



