GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. 211 



OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. 



TURDUS USTULATUS SWAINSONII. 



Char. Above, olive ; beneath, white, shaded with olive on the sides ; 

 sides of head, neck, and breast tinged with buff; throat and breast 

 spotted with olive ; yellowish ring around the eye. Length 6>^ to 7>4 

 inches. 



Nest. In a low tree or bush ; of twigs, leaves, grass, etc. 



Eggs. 3-4 ; greenish blue speckled with brown ; 0.90 X 0.65. 



This species was omitted by Nuttall, though given by Wilson. It 

 has much the same range and similar habits as the Hermit, though 

 differing in its song and the location of its nest. The tone of its 

 voice is richer and rounder — more flute-like and less metalhc — 

 than that of any other of the small Thrushes ; but the song lacks 

 that spiritual quality so conspicuous in the hymn-like melody of 

 the Hermit. 



The Olive-backed is found throughout the temperate region of 

 eastern North America, and westward to the eastern base of the 

 Rockies. It breeds in northern New England and northward, and 

 in the elevated portions of Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well 

 as in northern New York and Michigan, and winters in the Gulf 

 States and southward to Panama. 



It is common in the Maritime Provinces, but is reported rather 

 rare between Montreal and Lake Huron, though it being an abun- 

 dant migrant through Ohio, I should expect to find it plentiful in 

 portions of Ontario. 



GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. 



ALICE'S THRUSH. 

 TURDUS ALICI.E. 



Char. Above, olive ; cheeks grayish; beneath, white; sides tinged 

 with olive ; throat and breast tinged with buff and marked with large dark 

 spots. Length 7 to 73^ inches. 



Nest. In a low bush or on the ground; of grass and leaves, etc., 

 lined with fine grass. 



Eggs. 3-4 ; greenish blue spotted with brown ; 0.90 X 0.70. 



After much contention as to the validity of Alice's Thrush as a 

 variety of the Olive-backed, the systematists have decided to give it 



