On Birds observed in Amelia County, Virginia. 65 



In Virginia I have noticed especially the tameness and fami- 

 liarity of many species during the breeding season, some of which 

 at other times of the year, are comparatively wild and unap- 

 proachable. This, I believe, is very commonly the case with birds 

 generally, but I have never noticed it so markedly as I have there. 



TuKDUS MIGRATORIITS (Linn.) American Robin. — A few may 

 be seen all through the winter, but they arrive in large flocks 

 from the south early in March, when they collect in great 

 numbers on the tree tops, chattering and screaming. The 

 earliest note I have of their arrival is the 2nd of March. This 

 was in 1878. They scatter themselves over the open ground in 

 search of food, hopping about with a remarkably upright carriage. 

 They are very fond of the berries of the cedar, and on the edges of 

 the woods these trees are often covered with them, swarming 

 about among the branches, and devouring the berries as fast as 

 they can, fluttering and chuckling all the time in a most fussy 

 manner. As evening draws on, or at the sound of a gun, they 

 collect in flocks on the tops of the highest trees, A few pairs 

 remain with us all the summer and rear their young, but most of 

 them pass on to the north. They generally choose as a site for 

 their nest a low tree near a house, or some open spot, and I have 

 never found them building in the woods, as some of the thrushes 

 do. The 12th October is the earliest date at which I have seen 

 the flocks returning from the north, and they continue to pass on 

 southward for some time. Their chuckling note reminds one 

 much of our own blackbird, and cheir song is rather good. 



TuRDUS PALLASI (Cabanis.) Hermit Thrush. — This is a 

 resident species, apparently not migrating even in the most 

 partial manner; nor have I noticed it in any way more 

 numerous at one season than another. It is a shy, retiring 

 bird, and never seems to collect in flocks, but is met with 

 singly or in pairs — generally the latter. It loves best the 

 deep dark woods, where it builds its clay-lined nest in the fork of 

 some cedar or dogwood bush, at the height of eight or ten feet 

 from the ground, and there lays its blue eggs. It is rather a silent 

 bird, gliding noiselessly through the trees, seldom rising to any 

 height, and as evening comes on, frequently uttering its whistling 

 note when it thinks itself unobserved ; but I once saw it singing 



