W(X)D TirUITSIL 11 



ariatooracy — tho family is pfivon precodonoo over all others in mwleni 

 clHHHJHciition — niid thin oxaltud poHition nouiuh Hin^ularly appro- 

 priatu, for in a[)puaranco nn wull an in manner they are uniniHtakahly 

 patriciauB. Thuir forms are iiuuluU of uluganco ; their coHtumuH are 

 rich but inconspicuous, and their bearing under trying ordeaU is 

 calm, dignified, and courageous. While modest and retiring they 

 are not shy, and though brave are never (jUHrrelHome. They have 

 no vulgar ways, and under all conditions display a well bred air and 

 graceful manner. 



A mistjikon idea prevails that those birds are peculiarly solitary 

 in their habits, and that they have a stronger preference for 

 seclusion than other species. On the contrary their recluse habits 

 are not peculiarly marked ; their isolation and seclusion is not more 

 pronounced than that of numerous other woodlnnd birds. It is 

 true that these thrushes are not gregarious, but comi)aratively few 

 birds are. It is true also that during the nesting season — the season 

 in which our birds are most conspicuous — the thrushes are not found 

 in flocks as a rule ; but it is equally true that they are not especially 

 addicted to hermit-like habits. They have an inmiense expanse of 

 country to wander over, and nowhere are they so abundant as to 

 force their presence upon the notice of a superficial observer. 

 The thrushes, like many other birds, lack demonstrative sociability, 

 but I have on more than one occasion met with a dozen of them in 

 as many minutes, during a stroll in their haunts. They enjoy the 

 privacy and the shelter of the quiet groves, and share that feeling 

 with many of the feathered throng. Not that they penetrate into 

 the deeper forests — few of our songsters go there — but they find 

 food in plenty, a grateful shade, and agreeable surroundings amid 

 the dells and timber patches adjacent to the settlements, so they 

 select these places for a nesting site, and spend in such secluded 

 spots most of the summer days. To sum up the matter : — 

 When it is said that our thrushes prefer the retirement of the 

 groves and dingles to the glare of the open field or the bustle of 

 the roadside, the entire story of their recluse habits ha>s been told. 



Of our four species the wood thrush is the most frequently 

 encountered in a semi-open country, and is not a stranger to the 

 parks and orchards. Many a time it builds its nest on a dry hill 

 side, while it rarely haunts the alder swamps or the damp glens 



