CHARACTERS OF THE GENUS TURDUS 7 



even upon selfish grounds, to say nothing of the higher and 

 more generous motives which should suffice for their protec- 

 tion. For we are not alone indebted to the Thrushes as friends 

 favoring our economical projects. They lay strong claim to our 

 regard as musicians. It is true that the song of the Eobin 

 is a humble effort, remarkable for nothing so much as for its 

 heartiness, simplicity, and persistence; yet some of the 

 Thrushes, like the Hermit and the Wood Thrush, sing with 

 wonderful power and effect. 



Genus TURDUS Linn. 



THE characters of the single genus represented in North 

 America being in effect the same as those of the sub- 

 family already given, need not be recapitulated. The several 

 species to be treated fall in three groups, or subgenera, wjiich 

 may be thus analyzed: 



Planesticus. Sexes similar. Bill notched near the end, little 

 widened at base. Tarsi little longer than the middle toe and 

 claw. Beneath mostly unicolor, with streaked throat. Large ; 

 stout. 



Hesperocichla. Sexes dissimilar. Bill unnotched. Male 

 with a black pectoral collar. Otherwise like Planesticus. 



Hylocichla. Sexes similar. Bill notched near the end, much 

 widened and depressed at base. Tarsi decidedly longer than 

 the middle toe and claw. Beneath spotted. Of small stature, 

 and rather slender form. 



It may be remarked that the first plumage of young birds is 

 spotted, in this genus ; and that the tarsal scutella are only 

 fused completely in adult life.* 



All of the North American species of this genus occur in the 

 Coloradan region excepting one, the Wood Thrush, T. mnste- 

 Unus. While there will be no difficulty in recognizing the 

 species of Planesticus and of Hesperociclila, the smaller species 

 of Hylocichla require careful discrimination, nor are ornitholo- 

 gists agreed upon the more correct view to be taken of their 

 interrelationships. Four species are distinct, beyond question : 

 T. mmtelinus, T. fuscescenSj T. swainsoni, and T. pallasi ; but 



*This latter subject is well illustrated by Dr. J. J. Kaup, in an article en- 

 titled " Ueber die Bedeckung der Fusswurzel des Turdus migratorius ", in : 

 Arch, fiir Naturg., sechszehuter Jalirg. Bd. I. ss. 42, 43, hierzu Taf. ii, Fig. 

 1-5. 



