ir//..s"V " i in;i sn. 11 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of seventeen specimens. Length, 7-ot ; stretch, l:!-r,.1; wing, 3-94; tall, 2-92; bill, -56; 

 tarsii-, 1-10. Longest -'preimen. 7-7.". : greatest stretch of wings. 1 1-30; greatest length of wins, 4'20; of tail, 8-55; 

 of bill. -00; of tarsus, 1-L'O. Shortest -pi ( -mien, 7-()ii; Mnallest .stretch of wings, ll-2."i; smallest length of wing, 3-70; 

 of tail, 2-(iO; of bill, -55; of tarsus, 1-08. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



\..-y>. composed of grape-vine hark, leaves ami wcrils. lined with line grasses, leaves and fibrous roots. It is 

 deeply hollowed, but well proportioned to the size of the bird. Dimensions. External diameter, 5 inches; Internal, 

 2-50 Inches. External depth. :; inches; internal, 2 inches. 



n, rather pointed in form, generally dark green in color. Dimensions, from -90x-GO to -93x-"0. 



HABITS. 



While wandering through the thickly wooded vulleys of Massachusetts, after the first of May, 

 the oars of the pedestrian will hi- saluted with a series of continuous, life-like notes, coining in 

 two or throe waves, and ending in a prolonged sound. This melody will attract his attention, 

 if he is at all inclined to notice such tilings, for it is very singular, and he will naturally 

 wish to see the author of it. Therefore, he makes his way cautiously towards the spot where 

 the songster seems to be, but as he draws near the song ceases to be given, and in its place 

 lie hears a suppressed whistle. This note is uttered at irregular intervals, sometimes loud, 

 sometimes soft, and ever changing in the direction from which it conies. If the observer is wary, 

 he will perhaps catch a glimpse of a brown-booked bird flitting quickly through the thick bushes. 

 Hut unless he is acquainted with the habits of Wilson's Thrush, for this is the species which he 

 is endeavoring to discover, this is all that he will see; for if it is too closely pursued, it will 

 cease giving its alarm-note, and, rising suddenly to the tops of the trees, will dart over them, 

 alighting a long distance from the disturber of its peace. 



If surprised in the open woods, which it sometimes visits, it usually behaves in an entirely 

 dillerent manner. When any one comes suddenly upon it, as it sits upon the branch of a 

 tree, it will remain perfectly quiet and keep silent, as if conscious that its sober colors are a 

 natural protection. In this habit it resembles the Robin and the other small Thrushes, and one 

 may pass quite near it without its Hying. But if the intruder pauses for a time to observe 

 it quietly, the bird will appear puzzled, and, after keeping its statue-like position for a few 

 moments, will walk slowly along the limb on which it is perched, uttering a low whistle, but 

 always attentively examining the object of its dread. Then, if a single step is made towards 

 it, the Thrush is off like a flash, as if just aware that it is discovered. Although it usually flies 

 very rapidly, it slackens its speed when crossing an open field and moves with a steady flight. 



I.cfore the season of incubation, the male is constant in his attentions to the female. In this 

 he resembles the Hermit ; like that species he may be seen pursuing her through the woods, and 

 while she is sitting he is never far away. They generally build their nests during the last week 

 in May : nearly always in the thick woods. It is usually placed upon the ground by the side of 

 a prostrate tree or log, or else at the foot of a clump of bushes. The situation chosen is almost 

 always upon a sloping hillside', near a swamp, where the trees grow thick and the shade is 

 dense. But a short time since, however (June 21), I was surprised by seeing a nest built on 

 an apple tree in the orchard of the well known apiarist, Mr. H. Alley, at Wcnham. The nest 

 was placed on the tops of some twigs and limbs after the manner of the Cuckoos, and at a 

 hciirht of ten feet from the ground. It was constructed of much the same material as usual, 

 and contained four eggs in an advanced stage of incubation. This is the first, out of many 

 instances, where I have found the nest of this bird in any other situation than on the ground. 

 A- it feeds principally upon insects, it may be possible that the large number of bees kept in the 



