378 RELATIONS OF BIRDS TO AGRICULTURE 



the nest of the robin. The nest of the veery may be on or close to 

 the ground. The beautiful songs of both of these birds, coming 

 from the dense woods, if once heard are never forgotten. 



Food Habits. They are both important insect eaters. In 

 fact, the entire thrush family must be credited with being bene- 

 factors of the farmer and fruit-raiser. But occasional members 

 may be attracted to berries and fruit, notably in the case of the 

 robin. Forbes, after a somewhat exhaustive examination of their 

 food habits, states that sixty-one per cent of the food of thrushes 

 consists of insects. 



FIG. 378. Wood thrush. (After Fuertes.) 



Mocking-Bird. This species, distinctively an American bird, 

 is rarely seen as far north as New England, but ranges through 

 the southern United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and 

 is particularly abundant in the South Atlantic and Gulf states. 

 It is referred to as the "prince of musicians" among birds, and 

 deserves the title. Individuals in captivity appear to improve 

 their song by education and mimicry until there is hardly a song- 

 ster whose notes may not be repeated. 



