324 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



to that of an inverted cone, the opening being- always at the top. This 

 elegant structure is securely fastened either saddled to or woven about 

 a horizontal limb, usually near the top of a tree, but, especially if the 

 tree be a very tall one, sometimes on one of the lower branches. Often 

 it is attached to a limb of nearly the same diameter as itself, thus ap- 

 pearing as a knot or other excrescence" (Orn. of Illinois). "Eggs, 

 four to five, about .60 by .45, whitish, fully speckled with reddish and 

 umber-brown and lilac " (Cones' Key). 



FAMILY TURDID^E.* THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 

 SUBFAMILY TURBINE. THEUSHES. 



THE THRUSHES. 



Eight representatives of this subfamily are recorded as occurring in Pennsylva- 

 nia. Three the American Robin, Wood Thrush and Bluebird are common and 

 very generally distributed throughout the state as summer residents, and in winter 

 the Robin and Bluebird are frequently met with, especially in the southern sections 

 of the commonwealth. With the exception of Bicknell's Thrush, the members 

 of this group, although quite numerous, being found in nearly all parts of the state 

 during migrations, are known chiefly to ornithologists only. Many farmers and 

 fruit-growers regard the Robin (Merula migratoria) as a great nuisance and wage 

 war against him because of his love for various small fruits. The other members of 

 this group, like the Robin, feed also to a more or less extent on berries of different 

 kinds. These birds subsist largely on various species of noxious insects ; the 

 service which they all render, in this particular, should secure for them the protec- 

 tion of both the agriculturist and horticulturist. 



GENUS TURDUS LINNAEUS. 

 Turdus mustelinus GMEL. 



Wood Thrush ; Wood Robin. 



DESCRIPTION {Plate 100). 



Length about 8 ; extent about 13 inches ; bill blackish, yellowish at base ; legs 

 flesh color ; iris brown. Upper parts clear cinnamon brown, brightest on top of 

 head, and shading into olive on rump and tail ; lower parts pure white, and everj 7 - 

 where, except on chin, throat, middle of belly and under tail-coverts, marked with 

 roundish, dusky spots. 



Habitat. Eastern United States to the plains, north to southern Michigan, Onta- 

 rio and Massachusetts ; south, in winter to Guatemala and Cuba. 



Abundant summer resident from about the last week in April, to some 

 seasons, as late as October 20. The Wood Robin, the name by which 

 the Wood Thrush is best known in many localities in Pennsylvania 

 (some term it Hermit Thrush), is a common inhabitant of woods. It 

 especially delights to frequent bushes in woodland, near streams or other 



* " Bill slender, usually distinctly notched, and with distinct rictal bristles. Tarsi booted. /. <>., the 

 anterior covering undivided for the greater part of its length. Young distinctly spotted " (Orn. of 1U. ). 



