THE BROWN THRUSH. 163 



species : it is equally remarkable in almost all other insectivorous 



birds.' 



I have given these accounts, as I remarked before, for the 

 purpose of removing a prejudice that is too well established 

 against this bird. Instances like the above might be pre- 

 sented to almost any extent ; but my limits will not permit 

 a further notice of this species. 



Sub-Family MIMING. Mocking Birds. 



Tail long, vaulted at the base, the feathers more or less graduated; size large; 

 general appearance thrush-like; rictus with distinct bristles; frontal feathers normal, 

 directed backwards ; anterior half of outer side of tarsi distinctly scutellate. 



i HARPORHYNCHUS, CABANIS. 



Harporhynchus, CABANIS, Wiegmann's Archiv. (1848), I. 98. (Type Harpes 

 redivivus.) 



Bill from front as long as, or longer than the head, nearly straight to near the tip, 

 or bow-shaped, without any notch ; tarsus as long as, or longer than the middle toe, 

 conspicuously scutellate ; outer lateral toe a little the longer, not reaching the base of 

 the middle claw ; hind toe longer than lateral, its claw equal to its remaining portion ; 

 wings short, rounded, the fourth or fifth longest; the exposed portion of the first about 

 half that of longest; tail longer than the wings, broad, more or less graduated. ' 



HARPORHTNCHUS RUFUS. Cabanis. 

 The Brown Thrush; Brown Thrasher. 



Turdus rufus, Linnaeus. Syst. Nat, I. (1766) 293. Wilson, Am. Orn., II. (1810) 

 83. Aud. Orn. Biog., II. (1834) 102; V. (1839) 441. 



Orpheus rufus, Swainson. F. Bor. Am., II. (1831) 187. Nuttall, Man. I. (1832) 

 328. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Fifth quill longest; the third, fourth, and sixth little shorter; second equal to 

 ninth ; exposed portion of the bill shorter than the head ; outline of lower mandible 

 straight; above light cinnamon-red, beneath pale rufous-white with longitudinal 



1 This genus, together with the preceding, has been removed from its position in 

 the Liotrichidce, as given in vol. IX. Pac. R.R. Reports, and placed in the Turdidce by 

 Professor Baird, in his recent Review of the Birds of North America. 



