BIRDS OF 



spend much of their time on the ground, where their food at 

 this season is evidently obtained. When at home, near their 

 nest, the male is said to have a very pleasing song, which he 

 takes delight in repeating, but while here they have only a low, 

 soft call-note, easily recognized in the woods, but difficult to 

 describe. 



The return trip begins toward the end of September, and 

 continues for about three weeks. At this time the birds move 

 leisurely, and as they fare sumptiously on different sorts of 

 wild berries they get to be in excellent condition, both as regards 

 flesh and plumage. We occasionally fall in with individuals of 

 this species much below the average size, and with the lower parts 

 more deeply suffused with buff. Dr. Wheaton has also observed 

 these little fellows, and suggests that they may be a local, 

 southern-bred race. The distribution of this species during the 

 breeding season is not yet clearly defined, but in Southern Ontario 

 none have been observed except in spring and fall. 



300. TURDUS AONALASCHK^E PALLASII (CAB.). 759 b. 

 Hermit Thrush. 



Above olive, shading into rufous on rump and tail ; below white, olive 

 shaded on sides ; sides of head, eyelids, neck and breast strongly tinged with 

 buff; throat and breast marked with large dusky-olive spots. Length, about 

 7j ; wing, 3 J ; tail, 3- 



HAB. Eastern North America; breeding from the Northern United 

 States northward, and wintering from the Northern States southward. 



Nest, on the ground, sometimes slightly above it ; composed of weeds, 

 leaves, rootlets and grass. 



Eggs, 4 to 5 ; greenish-blue, without spots. 



The Hermit Thrush is a regular visitor in spring and fall, 

 arriving a few days before the Olive-back, and making but a 

 short stay, although it probably does not go so far north to 

 breed as the latter species. Referring to the Hermit, the follow- 

 ing occurs in the " List of Birds of Western Ontario :" 

 " Found common in full song in a large swamp, June 22nd, 

 1882. No nest found, although it was undoubtedly breeding. 

 None observed in summer in any other locality." 



300 



