PLATE LVI. BROWN THRASHER. BROWN THRUSH. 



Harporbyncus rufus. 



Above light reddish-brown ; throat, middle of belly and under- 

 rump white but, inclosing the throat, and on breast and flanks much 

 spotted with brown ; two white bars on wings ; tail long and rounded ; 

 bill dark ; feet pale ; iris yellow. Length, 1 1.40 inches. 



Migratory. Arrives late in April, leaves early in October. Nests in bushes or on the 

 ground. A gifted vocalist, scarcely surpassed either in sweetness or variety by any other 

 bird. During the nesting season it is said to sing at night. The Brown Thrasher remains 

 for the most part in the cover of thickets in whose recesses he has his nest, but when the 

 singing frenzy is on him he may be seen on the top of some rather low tree pouring forth 

 his melody. 



When the sun illumines his brown coat, the tint of red in it is strikingly apparent. 



,8, 



