DESCRIPTIVE LIST 333 



Remarks. The Hermit Thrush may always be easily identified by its rufous tail. It is the only 

 one of our thrushes which has the tail brighter than the back. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) _ 



Range. Eastern North America, breeding from northern United States northward, wintering 

 from Virginia southward. 



Range in North Carolina. Winter visitor throughout the State. 



FIG. 274. HERMIT THRUSH. 



The Hermit Thrush is a common winter visitor in the whole of the State, arriv- 

 ing some time in October. Our latest spring records are April 29 (1892) for Raleigh 

 and May 15 for Weaverville. 



This bird stays mainly in heavy, damp woods, and in the thick growth along 

 streams, feeding to some extent on small wild fruits and berries, such as frost- 

 grapes, holly berries, the berries of the dogwood and of Ilex decidua. It is usually 

 seen on or near the ground. 



Genus Planesticus 



341. Planesticus migratorius migratorius (Linn.). ROBIN. 



Ads. Top and sides of the head black, a white spot above and below the eye; rest of the upper- 

 parts 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, brownish 

 in fall. Im. females average paler below and with less black on the head, but fully adult birds 

 are as richly colored as the brightest males. Nestling. Back and underparts spotted with black. 

 L., 10.00; W., 4.96; T., 3.87; B., .84. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. Eastern and northern North America. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State in winter and during the migrations; apparently also 

 the breeding bird of the mountain region. 



The Robin, which is the northern and principal form of the species, occurs 

 commonly in our State during the migrations, and is more or less plentiful in 

 winter, particularly in the eastern counties. Its abundance in a locality depends 

 much on the food supply. In the greater part of the State the Robin is more con- 

 spicuous during portions of February, March, and early April than at any other 

 time. At this period it frequents open fields, particularly newly ploughed lands, 

 where it feeds on the insects that have been exposed by the plough. In the early 

 winter great flocks are often seen in the eastern half of the State, feeding on the 

 berries of the black-gum and holly trees. 



