THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 497 



Ont., Mass., Conn., L. I. (locally), and mts. of Pa. and Md.; winters from 

 Mass, (locally) and the lower Del. and Ohio valleys to Tex., Fla., and 

 Cuba. 



Washington, very common T. V., sometimes not uncommon W. V., 

 Apl. 6-May 17; Sept. 18-Nov. 12. Ossining, common T. V., Apl. 5-May 

 9; Oct. 18-Nov. 26. Cambridge, very common T. V., Apl. 15-May 5; Oct. 

 5-Nov. 15; occasionally one or two may winter; one summer record. 

 N. Ohio, common T. V., Mch. 21-May 10; Oct. 2-28. Glen Ellyn, common 

 T. V., Mch. 18-May 11; Sept. 14-Nov. 1. SE. Minn., common T. V., Apl. 

 1- ; Sept. 13-Oct. 26. 



Nest, of moss, coarse grasses, and leaves, lined with rootlets and pine 

 needles, on the ground. Eggs, 3-4, greenish blue, of a slightly lighter tint 

 than those of the Wood Thrush, "88 x '69. Date, Holland Patent, N.Y.,May 

 23; Grand Menan, N. B., May 26. 



This Thrush comes to us in the spring, when the woods are still 

 bare, and lingers in the autumn until they are again leafless the 

 earliest as it is the latest of our Thrushes. It is common on its migra- 

 tions, but attracts little notice, for, though not really a shy bird, its 

 disposition is retiring, and it is most at home in secluded woodland 

 and thickety retreats. Still, it often finds seclusion enough along 

 shrubby roadsides, and may so far doff its hermit traits as to approach 

 dwellings, where its attractive lightness of motion and ease of manner 

 may be observed from indoors. It frequently descends to the ground, 

 but is soon back again in the branches, making short flights from 

 perch to perch, often with long, quiet pauses in the intervals. It may 

 be known at sight by its habit of lifting its tail slightly, especially 

 after alighting. This action is usually accompanied by the bird's 

 customary note a low chuck, which sounds scarcely thrushlike. 



The Hermit Thrush bears high distinction among our song birds. 

 Its notes are not remarkable for variety or volume, but in purity and 

 sweetness of tone and exquisite modulation they are unequaled. Some, 

 indeed, have deemed the Wood Thrush not inferior; but though the 

 Wood Thrush at its best seems sometimes to touch the very highest 

 chords of bird music, the strains of its wilder cousin, in tranquil clearness 

 of tone and exalted serenity of expression, go beyond any woods music 

 we ever hear. 



While traveling, the Hermit Thrush is not in full voice, and he 

 who would know its song must follow it to the mossy forests, which 

 are its summer home. EUGENE P. BICKNELL. 



1910. MCCLINTOCK, N., Auk, XXVII, 409-418 (nesting). 



TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE (754- Myadestes townsendi) of western North 

 America, is of accidental occurrence in Illinois and New York. 



The RED-WINGED THRUSH (760. Turdus musicus), a European species, is 

 of accidental occurrence in Greenland. 



761. Planesticus migratorius migratorius (Linn.}. ROBIN. (Fig. 

 76o.) Ads. Top and sides of the head black, a white spot above and below 

 the eye; rest of the upperparts grayish slate-color; margins of wings slightly 

 lighter; tail blackish, the outer feathers with white spots at their tips; throat 

 white, streaked with black ; rest of the underparts rufous (tipped with white 

 in the fall), becoming white on the middle of the lower belly; bill yellow, 



