NATURAL HISTORY SKETCHES 341 



three species the ordinary observer will be likely to 

 notice in this latitude and of these the robin is the only 

 species that attracts general attention. The robin is 

 well known from Labrador to Mexico and by the same 

 name. The other two of the five are not familiar in the 

 haunts of man and seldom are heard in town. 



The Wilson thrush, or " veery," has queer unearthly 

 notes to its song, which I cannot describe. It is thought 

 by some to be the peer of all thrushes, but I do not think 

 so. It is a little larger than the hermit and about the 

 size of the largest English sparrow. The hermit is the 

 smallest of all. All have brown backs and white breasts, 

 speckled with dark brown spots. The hermit thrush is 

 reddest on the tail, and his breast is finely spotted. The 

 "veery" has a tawny or reddish brown back without 

 any change of color at the head or tail, and is slightly 

 spotted on the sides of his breast. The hermit builds a 

 nest in the depth of the dark woods, on the ground, of 

 moss, coarse grasses, pine needles and other materials of 

 this kind that can be found in the woods ; the " veery" 

 about the same. 



Birds are of inestimable value to mankind. Without 

 their unremitting services our gardens and fields would 

 be laid waste by insect pests. But we owe them a greater 

 debt even than this, for the study of birds tends to 

 develop some of the best attributes and impulses of our 

 nature. Among them we find examples of generosity, 

 unselfish devotion, of the love of mother for offspring 

 and other estimable qualities. Their industry, patience 

 and ingenuity excite our admiration ; their songs inspire 

 us with love of music and poetry ; their beautiful plumage 

 and graceful manners appeal to our esthetic sense ; their 



