strain has reached my ears * * * that to me is the finest sound in nature the song 

 of the Hermit Thrush." 



The beginner will be puzzled to discriminate between the several Thrushes. As 

 regards the three here mentioned, the Wood, the Veery and the Hermit, the differences in 

 the color of the back will guide him aright. 



Miss Merriam thus concisely states these variations : 



"The brown of the Wood Thrush is reddest on the head and shoulders. 



"The brown of the Hermit is reddest on the tail. 



"The Tawny has a uniformly tawny back." 



PLATE LXII. WOOD THRUSH. 



Turdus mustelinus. 



Above cinnamon-brown, reddest on the bead, shading into olive on 

 the rump and tail ; beneath white, thickly spotted on breast and sides 

 with dark-brown, but the chin, throat and middle of belly are im- 

 maculate ; tail nearly even ; bill brown; feet pale. Length, 8.25 inches. 



Migratory. Arrives early in May, leaves late in September. Nests usually in woods, 



305 



