OLIVI:- n. i CKEI> Tin; {:>//. 



HABITS. 



While migrating, this Thrush is very generally found in swampy localities, where it is 

 extremely shy, keeping in the densest thickets. Here it maintains perfect silence, except an 

 occasional soft chirp of alarm. It also spends the greater part of its time upon the ground, 

 scratching among the leaves in search of its insect food. It is extremely difficult to procure a 

 specimen, as upon the approach of the intruder it instantly hides or flits rapidly through the 

 bushes, pausing but an instant here and there to glance at its enemy. If driven into a thicket 

 it will persistently remain concealed until approached quite nearly, and then rapidly move to 

 another place but a t'e\v rods away. If too closely pursued it rises suddenly to the tops of the 

 bushes, and darting through the woods, with nearly the speed of light, disappears in the distance. 

 This species passes through our midst in great numbers ; yet, on account of its retiring habits, 

 only the experienced collector will consider it at all common. Those who have never seen it on 

 its breeding grounds, and who can judge of its habits only dining the migrations, will consider 

 it a silent and mysterious bird. 



But let such an one visit its Northern home, when the mild breezes of June sigh quietly 

 through those vast primeval forests that everywhere cover the land. Let him wander beneath 

 the dark shadows of the huge hemlocks and spruces, the large limbs of which form immense 

 arches high overhead. The air is tilled with the balmy odor of their leaves, mingled with the 

 spicy fragrance of the snowy flowered moOWWOOd. The ground is covered with a soft carpet 

 of green moss, and all the plants that grow in these shady retreats are now in bloom, while the 

 gentle murmur of some mountain stream is heard, harmonizing pleasantly with the warbling of 

 the birds. Preeminent among these the echoing song of the Olive-backed Thrush rings through 

 the wooded valleys, enchanting the ear with its scarcely surpassed melody. The song differs 

 entirely from that of the Hermit Thrush, being more continuous but not quite as loud. It 

 is, however, remarkably fine, and one can hardly believe that the silent bird he has been 

 accustomed to see farther south is capable of producing such delightful notes. Not only in the 

 newly acquired vocal powers does the bird in summer differ from the same species in spring and 

 autumn, but its habits are different. It docs not now skulk in the bushes, but perches upon 

 the branches of its favorite evergreen trees, many feet from the ground, and at this elevation 

 sings its song. It has, however, the same low soft chirp of alarm, but it uses it ofteuer, boldly 

 .-landing in plain sight while it thus remonstrates with the invader, as if conscious of a prior 

 right to the soil. AVhile in this position it usually moves its tail slowly, and tips its head 

 slightly while it gazes, with its full round eye, upon the movements of the invader. Sometimes, 

 however, it will sit without noise or motion, after the manner of the Robin, until one has passed 

 quite under it. At such times it is difficult to detect the bird, so closely do its colors blend with 

 those of the trunks and branches of the trees. These Trushes do not spend their entire time on 

 the trees, but are occasionally seen on the ground. 



.lust before the season of incubation, the male may be seen chasing the female playfully 

 through the branches or amonir the bushes, flitting from place to place so swiftly that the eye 

 can with difficulty follow their movements. About the last week in May they begin to build. 

 The locality selected is generally a thick clump of low tir trees. The nest is almost always 

 placed in the top of one of these trees, at a height of from five to six feet above the ground. 

 I have seen several uncompleted, but never saw the bird building or near them. Indeed 

 it is rather careless about guarding its nest, for although it may contain eggs, it is difficult to 

 find the bird near. Upon the approach of man she instantly leaves and conceals herself. Even 

 when the eggs are removed, neither of the birds appears or makes the least remonstrance. I 

 doubt if they would make an effort to defend even their young from the depredations of man. 

 A-; I ha\e found several ne-t> containing broken shells of fresh eggs, I also conclude that Jays 



