OF THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 321 



At home, the habits of the Hermit are in keeping with its 

 name. Among the dense shrubbery in some retired spot it 

 builds its nest and raises its young ; there too it pours forth its 

 sweet song on the " desert air," where very few have been priv- 

 ileged to hear it. During the seasons of migration the birds 

 come more into the open country, but they are at all times shy 

 and fond of concealment. On these occasions they have only a 

 simple call note, apparently used to tell their companions where 

 they are. 



Genus MERULA Leach. 



301. MERULA MIGRATORIA (Linn.). 761. 



American Robin. 



Above dark olive-gray, blackish on head and tail ; below reddish-brown, 

 throat, vent and under tail-coverts white, throat with black streaks ; outer 

 pair of tail-feathers white tipped ; bill dusky above, yellow below ; feet dark ; 

 very young birds spotted above and below. Length, g J inches; wing, 5J; 

 tail, 4J. 



Hab. Eastern North America to the Rocky Mountains, including East- 

 ern Mexico and Alaska. Breeds from near the southern border of the United 

 States northward to the Arctic coast ; winters from Southern Canada and 

 the Northern States (irregularly) southward. 



Nest, in a tree, frequently an apple tree in an orchard ; large and rough 

 looking; composed of twigs, grass and weeds cemented together with mud ; 

 lined with fine grass. 



Eggs, 4 to 5 ; plain greenish-blue, without spots. 



The Robin is well known and widely distributed throughout 

 Ontario. In the south it is most abundant during the period of 

 migration, but great numbers breed all over the Province, and 

 along the southern border it is no uncommon thing to meet with 

 individuals spending the winter in sheltered hollows, from which 

 they are ready to start out and hail the first indications of return- 

 ing spring. As the season advances, northern bound individuals 

 of this species arrive from the south and pass on with little 

 delay, but those which are satisfied to remain at once become 

 engaged in the great business of the season, viz., raising their 

 young. The males are the first to arrive, and are occasionally 



