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the scalation of the feet. As these are rather difficult features for the 
amateur to discern, it is perhaps easier to differentiate them by other 
more striking characters that apply to the representative of the group in 
eastern Canada. For this purpose they may be divided into the Thrushes 
proper and the American Robin, Bluebird, and Wheatear, the last very 
rare and the other two so well marked as to be recognized with ease. 
The Thrushes proper are medium-sized birds, brown above and white 
below,with the breast more or less spotted, except one species, the Veery, 
conspicuously so. Any Canadian bird of this description between 6-25 
and 8-30 inches long, with the first primary very small and degenerate, 
belongs to this group. The Thrushes are all ground-haunting birds and 
usually more or less solitary. Their principal food is insects and soft 
fruit. The woodland species are of little direct economic importance, 
although their influence is beneficial. All the Thrushes of this group 
are very sweet singers. 
755. Wood Thrush. SONG THRUSH. FR.—LA GRIVE DES Bois. AHylocichla 
mustelina. L, 8:29. Plate XLVIII A. 
Distinctions. Easily recognized as a Thrush, though having somewhat the general 
colour of the Brown Thrasher. The short tail, straight bill, and dark instead of light eye 
make good separation marks. From the other members of the genus it can be told by its 
larger size, the absolute whiteness of the breast, the sharper definition of the round spots, and 
the yellowish rather than reddish or olive tinge of the back, brightest on head. 
Field Marks. The sharp spots on the pure white breast and the tawniness of the back 
make the best field marks. 
Nesting. In saplings about 8 feet above the ground, in nest of leaves, rootlets, fine 
twigs, and weed stalks firmly interwoven and lined with mud and fine rootlets. 
Distribution. Eastern North America; north regularly to southern Ontario; occa- 
sional or local in adjoining regions. 
The Wood Thrush is a woodland bird of rather southern distribution; 
common in Canada only in the more southern portions. 
756. Wilson’s Thrush. VEERY. CATHEDRAL-BIRD. FR.—LA GRIVE DE WILSON. 
Hylocichla fuscescens. L, 7-52. Plate XLVIII B. 
Distinctions. In this Thrush the brown is almost as tawny as in the Wood Thrush but 
the back is evenly coloured and no brighter on head or tail than elsewhere. The breast 
spots are reduced to a vague series of darker spots down the sides of the neck and on a 
tinted area across the upper breast. 
Field Marks. The even, light coloration of the back and the light suffused colour of 
the breast spots. j 
Nesting. On or near ground, in nest of strips of bark, rootlets, and leaves wrapped with 
leaves and lined with rootlets. 
Distribution. The northern part of north America north to the limits of settlement. 
SUBSPECIES. In Canada Wilson’s Thrush is represented by two subspecies, the 
Veery, the type form, and the Willow Thrush of western distribution, coming east to 
Manitoba and only occasionally occurring in eastern Canada. 
The Veery has a wide distribution within settled sections. Beyond 
the range of the Wood Thrush and before the other thrushes become 
numerous this species is common and its cascade of bell-like notes poured 
forth at sunset in the darkening bush are very pleasant to hear. 
757. Alice’s Thrush. GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH. FR.—LA GRIVE D’ALICE. Hylo- 
cichla alicie. L, 7-58. Plate XLIX A. 
Distinctions. Although a distinct species, this thrush is so nearly like the next, the 
Olive-backed, as to be separated from it with some difficulty. (The two can be distinguished 
from other thrushes by their even dark olive backs and heavily spotted breasts with spots 
suffused in places and running together. In the Grey-cheeked Thrush the sides of the face 
and spotting of breast are suffused with dull cold grey instead of a warm buff. 
