PASSERES — MERULIDJE — MERULA. 71 



THE WOOD THRUSH. 



Merula mustelina. 



PfcATE XXXIX. FIG. 86. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Turdus melodus, Wood Thrush. Wilson, Am. Om. Vol. 1, p. 29, pi. 2, fig. 1. 



T. mustelinus, Gmelin. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 75. Audubon, folio, pi. 73 ; Orn. Biog. Vol. 



1 , p. 372, and Vol. 5, p. 446. * 



Wood Thrush. Nuttall, Manual of the Ornithology of U. S. Vol. 1, p. 343. Audcbon, Birds of Am. Vol. 3, 

 p. 24, pi. 144. Gibaud, Birds of Long island, p. 88. 



Characteristics. Reddish brown : rump and tail inclining to olive ; beneath white, spotted 

 with blackish. Eyes margined with whitish. Tail short, slightly 

 emarginate. Length, 8 inches. 



Description. Bill short, carinate above ; mandibles subequal. Nostrils subovate, large. 

 Wings an inch shorter than the tail ; the extended legs reaching beyond the tail. Third and 

 fourth quills longest, subequal ; second equals the fifth : outer webs of the third, fourth and 

 fifth obliquely sinuated. 



Color. Above dull brown, becoming more fulvous on the head and olivaceous on the 

 rump. Extremities of the quills, and upper side of the tail, greenish brown. Vent and 

 central part of the throat pure white. Sides of the neck, breast and belly, with round heart- 

 shaped deep brown spots. 



Length, 7* 5 -8*0. Alar extent, 13-0. 



This little Thrush reaches this State (where it breeds) about the beginning of May. It has 

 various popular names, such as Wood Robin, Ground Robin and Little Brown Thrasher. 

 Its food consists of various berries, caterpillars, etc. It is well known for its distinct, rich 

 and varied song. It is shy and retired in its habits ; and its eggs, except in size, do not 

 differ from those of the Robin. It ranges from Mexico to the 50th degree of north latitude, 

 and is found during the whole winter in Louisiana. 



