644 HISTORY OF THE 



jugulum more decidedly tinged with buff. Young, first plumage: Similar to the 

 adult, but feathers of the pileum and back with paler (ochraceous) shaft streaks; 

 middle wing coverts with terminal triangular spots of ochraceous, the greater 

 coverts narrowly tipped with the same; spots on breast, etc., less sharply de- 

 fined. (Ridgicay.) 



Stretch of 

 Length, wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



Male 8.20 13.40 4.40 3.15 1.25 .64 



Female... 8.00 13.15 4.30 3.00 1.22 .62 



Iris brown; bill upper and end of lower, dark brown, rest 

 brownish yellow; legs and feet flesh color; claws light brown. 



The natural haunts of this solitary species are within the deep 

 forests upon the bottom lands, bordering streams, and remote 

 from the habitations of man, although, where the locations are 

 favorable, I have occasionally found them nesting in orchards 

 and gardens. They make their home in the lower branches 

 of the trees, and, in their search for food, often hop over the 

 ground, like the Robins. They feed chiefly upon worms, beetles, 

 grasshoppers, etc., and berries in their season. They are wary 

 in their habits, but gentle in their deportment, and move about 

 without ostentation, in an easy, dignified, graceful manner, and, 

 when approached, do not skulk and hide, like the Towhees and 

 Chats, but hop openly about, uttering now and then their sharp 

 alarm or call note, "Tuck," which is often rapidly repeated, 

 taking good care to keep at a safe distance from the intruder 

 by gliding noiselessly from tree to tree. 



During the breeding season, the short, silvery, flute-like song 

 of the males rings out in sweet, clear, indescribable notes, that 

 even the Mockingbirds do not attempt to imitate. Mr. Nuttall 

 happily says: 



"At the dawn of morning he now announces his presence in 

 the woods from the top of some tall tree rising through the dark 

 and shady forest; he pours out his few clear and harmonious 

 notes in a pleasing reverie, as if inspired by the enthusiasm of 

 renovated nature. The prelude to this song resembles almost 

 the double tongueing of the flute, blended with a tinkling, shrill 

 and solemn warble, which reechoes from his solitary retreat like 

 the dirge of some sad recluse who shuns the busy haunts of life. 

 The whole air consists, usually, of four parts, or bars, which sue- 



