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GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH. 125 



or sixty yards off, in a direct line from its nest, seeming at every 

 advance to be gaining fresh strength; and when it thinks it has 

 decoyed you to a sufficient distance, it suddenly wheels off and 

 disappears. This kind of deception is practised by many other 

 species of birds that build on the ground; and is sometimes so 

 adroitly performed as actually to have the desired effect of se- 

 curing the safety of its nest and young. 



This is one of those birds frequently selected by the Cow-pen 

 Bunting to be the foster-parent of its young. Into the nest of 

 this bird the Cow-bird deposits its egg, and leaves the result to 

 the mercy and management of the Thrush, who generally per- 

 forms the part of a faithful and affectionate nurse to the found- 

 ling. 



The Golden-crowned Thrush is six inches long, and nine in 

 extent; the whole upper parts, except the crown and hind head, 

 are a rich yellow olive; the tips of the wings, and inner vanes 

 of the quills, are dusky brown; from the nostrils a black strip 

 passes to the hind head on each side, between which lies a bed 

 of brownish orange; the sides of the neck are whitish; the whole 

 lower parts white, except the breast, which is handsomely 

 marked with pointed spots of black, or deep brown, as in the 

 figure; round the eye is a narrow ring of yellowish white; legs 

 pale flesh colour; bill dusky above, whitish below. The female 

 has the orange on the crown considerably paler. 



This bird might with propriety be ranged with the Wagtails, 

 its notes, manners, and habit of building on the ground being 

 similar to these. It usually hatches twice in the season; feeds 

 on small bugs, and the larvae of insects, which it chiefly gathers 

 from the ground. It is very generally diffused over the United 

 States; and winters in Jamaica, Hispaniola, and other islands of 

 the West Indies. 



