THE O. & O: SEMI-ANNUAL. 37 
Nests vary but little in composition. An external covering of 
grass, with some white or very light colored material, unlike the 
Robin in this respect, which seldom or never uses so light mate- 
rial in the construction of its nest ; and fine rootlets for the lining. 
Between the lining and outside is a strong, firm layer of rotten 
wood, never mud. In one or two nests I have found old horse 
droppings. 
Four eggs is the usual set here, never more, often less. Eggs 
are smaller than the Robin’s and darker—nile blue. I see no 
variation in color. First nest, May 20; last, June 27; height of 
season, June 5. 
The chipmunk is decidedly the worst enemy in breeding seas- 
on; Jays and Crows disturb it: 
Turdus fuscescens, \Wilson’s Thrush. 
First, May 9, 40; next, May 10; common May g; bulk de- 
parted May 18; last seen May 30. Seldom seen outside of the 
woods, except among the trees in town. Keeps mostly to the up- 
woodlands, not usually very near water. The bird is retiring in 
its habits and avoids man. 
Turdus aonalaschke palasit, Hermit Thrush. 
First, April 13, 1; next, May 2; was not common; bulk ar- 
rived May 5; bulk departed May 9; last seen May to. Very 
retiring ; keeps well to the deep woods, where it may™be found 
high up among the trees. I have found it most common in the 
vicinity of water. It was a common migrant in 1887. 
Turdus ustulatus swainsontt, Olive-backed Thrush. 
First, May 9, 50; next, May 10; common May g; bulk departed 
May 24; last seen June 2. Their range is much the same as the 
Robin’s, except that they are not found away from timber or 
brush of some sort. Olive-back swarms in the woods, both in 
the country and in town. He is seen everywhere while here — 
one place is no more favored than another by him. 
Galeoscoptes carolinensis, Catbird. 
First, May 5, 4; next, May 6; common May 6. 
This is a wood-bird strictly. Few are seen in town, and none 
in fields away from woods. 
The nest is almost always placed in a thorn bush or hawthorn 
tree, rarely in a thicket of hazel. It is built into the brush that 
surrounds it, the sticks that compose its exterior blending into 
