400 



THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 



;«i '! 



769b. Tardus aonalaachkaB pallasii {Cab.). IIkrmit Tmuati. 



Ad. — Upper parts olive-brown, sometimes ciiinamoii-brown ; tail pale rufous, 

 of a distinetly different color from tlie back; throat and breast with u slijurht 

 buify tinge; featlicrs of the sides of the throat with wedire-shapcd black spots 

 at their tips; those of the brcust with large, rounded spots; middle of the 

 belly wliite ; sides brownish gray or brownish ashy. L., 7'17 ; W., 3oG ; T., 

 2-74; B., -ol. 



liemarks. — Tlie Hermit Thrush may always be easily identified by its 

 rufous tail. It is tlie only one of our Thrushes which has t)ie tail brighter 

 than tlie back. 



Itaitije. — Eastern North America; breeds from northern Michigan and 

 Massachusetts northward, and southward along the AUcghanies to I'ennsyl- 

 vania; winters from southern Illinois and New Jersey to the Gulf States. 



Wasliington, very common T. V\, sometimes not uncommon \V. \ ., Apl. 



4 to May IS; Oct. IS to Nov. Sing Sing, common T. V^, Apl. 5 to May 9; 

 Oct. 18 to Nov. 26. Cambridge, very common T. V., Apl. Ki to May 5; Oct. 



5 to Nov. 15 ; occasionally one or two may winter. 



Nest, of nio.ss, coarse grasses, and leaves, lii>ed with rootlets and pine 

 needles, on the ground. Eygs, three to four, greenish blue, of u tUghtly 

 lighter tint than those of the Wood Thrush, -88 x •69. . . 



This Thrush comes to us in the spring, when the woods are still 

 bare, and lingers in the autumn until they are again leafless — the 

 earliest as it is the latest of our Thrushes. It is common on its mi- 

 grations, but attracts little notice, for, though not really a shy bird, 

 its disposition is retiring, and it is most at home in secluded woo'' 

 land and thickety retreats. Still, it often finds seclusion enough along 

 shrubby road.jides, and may so far doff its hermit traits as to approach 

 dwellings, where its attractive lightness of motion and ease of manner 

 may be observed from indoors. It frequently descends to the ground, 

 but is soon back again in the branches, making short flights from 

 perch to perch, often with long, quiet pauses in the intervals. It may 

 be known at sight by its habit of lifting its ti il slightly, especially 

 after alighting. This action is usually accompanied by the bird's 

 cu.stomary note — a low chuck, which sounds scarcely thrushlike. 



The Hermit Thrush bears high distinction among our song birds. 

 Its notes are not remarkable for variety or volume, but in purity 

 and sweetness of tone and exquisite modulation they are unequaled. 

 Some, indeed, have deemed the Wood Thrush not inferior: but though 

 the Wood Thrush at its best seems sometimes to touch the very highest 

 chords of bird music, the strains of its wilder cousin, in tranquil clear- 

 ness of tone and exalted serenity of expression, go beyond any woods 

 music we ever hear. 



While traveling, the Hermit Thrush is not in full voice, and ho 

 who would know its song must follow it to the mossy forests, which 

 are its summer home. Euueme P. Bicknell. 



