24 SOME CANADIAN BIRDS. 



and when nofc singing spundH most of his time in tho thickota, 

 often on the ground Hcrntching nnioiig tho dond Iuhvuh. 



Tho love of parado which this bird disphiys at times is char- 

 actoristic of tho oiitiro family to which it belongs — a family which 

 embraces tho catbird and mockingbird. By voice as well as by 

 habits tho thrasher proves his affinity to this group, though he lacks 

 the power of mimicry which distinguishes his more artistic cousins. 



The body of the thrasher is of much tho same size as a robin's, 

 but the thrasher's bill being the longer and its tail much longer, 

 the bird, though measuring only eleven inches from tip to tip, appears 

 somewhat larger than a robin. It is readily distinguished from 

 other species by its curved bill, long tail and rich rufous color. 

 The under parts are whitish, tinged with rufous, and n)arked on the 

 sides with spots of brown. On the wings are two bars of white, 

 edged with brown. 



The nest has been found in various situations. Generally it is 

 on the branch of a low shrub in a dense copse ; often it is placed 

 on the ground, while an occasional pair select for a nesting site a 

 branch that swings many feet above the heads of men. The nest 

 itself is a loosely constructed affair of much bulk. It is formed 

 exteriorly of dried grass, twigs, roots, weeds and such like material, 

 and is lined with fine grass ; sometimes the lining is made of horse- 

 hair or feathers. The female usually lays four eggs, but sets of 

 three have satisfied some few mothers, while as many as six eggs 

 have been discovered in other nests.. The ground color of the eggs 

 is whitish with a tinge of green or of buflf, and they are profusely 

 marked with minute spots of reddish brown. The nest is built 

 about tho middle of May, and by the time the young are hatched 

 their home is securely hidden by the foliage, but the parents do not 

 trust to this protection alone and are ever watchful for the safety 

 of the brood. One or the other is sure to be on guard, and the 

 approach of any intruder — man, cat, or snake — is marked at con- 

 siderable distance. If the enemy be a cat, it is attacked with such 

 fury that puss usually retreats, while curious youths of the nest- 

 hunting persuasion are enticed away by divers artifices. 



These birds are not plentiful in any part of Canada, and are only 

 met with in parts of Ontario and near Montreal, being most 



