S04 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



ing probably on the supply of food which they find in different 

 parts of the country. They migrate in large flocks, flying high 

 and far without resting ; sometimes, if the weather is fine, 

 they continue their course by night. 



The nest of the robin is found in various situations, most 

 commonly in an orchard tree. It is composed of dry leaves, 

 grass and moss, connected together by mud ; the lining is of 

 fine grass, sometimes in part of feathers. The eggs are from 

 four to six, of bluish green. It is not necessary to be particu- 

 lar in these matters, the nests being almost always made near 

 human dwellings, and often within the reach of man. It is 

 supposed that it chooses these resorts in order to escape from 

 the cuckoo, which sucks its eggs wherever it dares venture ,* 

 but the robin soon forms a strong local attachment, and often 

 returns in successive years, not only to the same spot, but the 

 same nest which it has occupied before. One has been known 

 to build in the stern timbers of an unfinished vessel in New 

 Hampshire. They are very afl^ectionate to their young, and if 

 an accident happens to one of them, the whole neighborhood 

 of robins is in alarm. 



The robin is easily domesticated, and soon becomes very 

 fond of its owner. It shows a taste and talent for imitation 

 also, which does not appear in its wild state. It will not only 

 mock the notes of other birds, but will imitate tunes which it 

 has often heard. In this state it has been known to live for 

 nearly twenty years. 



The Wood Thrush, Tardus mustelinus, is a retiring bird, 

 but not so solitary as it is sometimes represented. It is most 

 partial to shaded glens, where it sings toward the close of day. 

 Its note is very remarkable ; with notes of no great variety, but 

 clear, flowing and silvery as a sweet-toned bell ; of all the 

 voices of summer there is none so thrilling, particularly when 

 heard as the shades of night are falling, and in scenes of deep 

 repose. Each bird seems to have some favorite resort of his 

 own. It is generally in some deep hollow, overhung by large 

 trees festooned with vines, where the sunbeams at mid-day can 



