0 ?i four well-knozvn Thrushes of North America. 99


ON FOUR WELL-KNOWN THRUSHES OF NORTH


AMERICA.


By Hubert D. Astley, M.A.


During a visit which I paid to the United States in

September and October, I received a very warm, courteous and

kindly welcome from some of the best known and most enthu¬

siastic naturalists and ornithologists, notably, Professor H.

Fairfield Osborn who is the Head of the New York Natural

History Museum and Zoological Park; Mr. C. William Beebe, a

member of our Society and Curator of the collection of living

birds at the Zoological Park ; Mr. Chapman a well-known writer

of ornithological works, who is also at the Natural History

Museum, and others.


I can never forget the kindness of these gentlemen, and

the trouble they took in writing to me, not once but several

times, in order to ensure their welcome to me being a certain

one, in spite of each and all being busy men, who could ill-afford

the time they sacrificed for my benefit.


I was anxious to obtain and carry away a Hermit Thrush,

and on writing to Mr. Beebe about it, he immediately answered

to the effect that not only would he be delighted to present me

with some, but that he would also give me other species.


It ended in my bringing home the following Thrushes:

Hermit's, Wilson’s, Wood Thrushes and Migratory Thrushes,

which latter are far better known as ‘ Robins.’ They, along with

some Blue Birds, Baltimore Orioles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks,

were brought down to the docks by the head-keeper [Mr. Stacey,

an Englishman] with an ample supply of food for the voyage,

and safely deposited on board the floating Hotel, the Lusitania,

These North American Thrushes are far tamer than our English

Thrushes would be under similar circumstances, for the day 7 after

I reached home, one of the Wilson’s and a Hermit were hopping

about my bird-room as if they had been there all their lives,

coming to me to take a mealworm from my fingers, and splashing

in a bath close to my feet. They are wild-caught birds, and in

beautiful condition.


The Hermit Thrush (Turdus pallasi) is not very much



