74 NEW-YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 



had been sent to ine under the name of Hermit Thrush, and which I had supposed to form 

 strongly marked varieties dependant upon age. A reexamination of the subject induced me 

 to coincide in opinion with my late estimable friend, and I had given it a name, which it is 

 now unnecessary to cite, as it has been already well designated by Mr. Giraud. 



The Olive-backed Thrush is closely allied to the preceding in appearance, and probably 

 in habits and geographical distribution. Mr. Giraud thinks it probable that it breeds farther 

 north than the preceding. 



WILSON'S THRUSH. 



Merula wilsoni. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



T. mustelinus. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 5, p. 58, pi. 43, fig. 3. 



T.wUsonii. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol.2, p. 76: Audubon, folia, pi. 164; Orn. Biog. Vol.2, p. 164, 



and Vol. 5, 446. 

 Vary, or Wilson's Thrush. Nuttall, Manual Orn. Vol. 1 , p. 349. 

 Taumy Thrush. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 3. p. 27, pi. 145 (male). 



Characteristics. Tawny brown. Beneath white, with brown pointed spots on the throat 

 and upper part of the breast. Tail short, nearly even ; its feathers 

 somewhat pointed. Second, third and fourth quills longest. Length, 7 

 inches. 



Description. Bill short and robust ; upper mandible gently curved. The tips of the 

 folded wings one inch shorter than the tail. Shafts of the quill and tail-feathers produced 

 somewhat beyond the webs. 



Color. Bill black above and beneath, except the base of the lower mandible, which is 

 yellow ; the sides of the breast, and underneath the wings, slightly tinged with cinereous. 

 It resembles in its general aspect the preceding, but may be distinguished by these marks : 

 The Hermit Thrush has a longer bill, more curved at the tip, and white beneath ; its tarsus 

 is more slender and much longer than its middle toe ; its breast has a reddish tinge, and its 

 belly, vent, and under tail-coverts nearly pure white. 



Length, 6-5-7-5. 



"Wilson, in describing this new species, assigned to it a name which had been already ap- 

 propriated to another bird : hence the necessity for a change. It is seen in this State, where 

 it breeds, about the end of April, laying from four to five green unspotted eggs. They have 

 the same habits with the preceding, and range from 25° to 57° north. 



