178 BROWN THRASHER 



however, they may be distinguished at a glance ; 

 for the breast of the Thrasher is heavily spotted, 

 while that of the Cuckoo is pure sheeny white. 

 (See Fig. 83, p. 161.) The backs of the two are 

 also dissimilar when seen close at hand ; for the 

 Thrasher's is reddish brown, while the Cuckoo's 

 is brownish gray, with a silky greenish gloss. 

 The tail of the Thrasher is plain brown ; that of 

 the Cuckoo marked with white spots, more or less 

 prominent according to the species. The flight 

 and habits of the two birds are still less alike. 

 The Thrasher has the tilting, uneven flight of the 

 short-winged Wrens, to whom he is allied; but 

 the Cuckoo, when he has to cross an open space, 

 cuts the air like a projectile from a long-distance 

 gun. The Cuckoo goes from one cover to another, 

 where he hunts silently for caterpillars, only occa- 

 sionally giving vent to his mysterious cuck-cuck- 

 cuch The Thrasher, on the other hand, goes 

 flaunting and flapping over the top of the bushy 

 tangle where he lives, alights on a topmost branch, 

 and dropping his tail and throwing up his head, 

 shouts out at the top of his lungs. The Cuckoo 

 is mysterious and interesting, meriting the grave 

 attention of the psychologist and economic orni- 

 thologist ; but the Thrasher is just an outspoken, 

 jolly good fellow in whom we take a personal and 

 affectionate interest. How can you help feeling 

 flattered when he sits up and pours out his rol- 

 licking song to you ? And such a song as it is ! 



