THE SEMI-ANNUAL. 17 



It is unnecessary to say that 6 eggs is a rare set ; even 5 is by 

 no means common. The average is imiform throughout. The 

 measurements are too irregular to be of value. Evidently the 

 " personal equation" has largely entered into the computation. 

 In this connection I am constrained to give the average measure- 

 ments of a few of our authorities for a comparison ; I wall not 

 give the names : i.oox.75; 1.05X.78; 1.06X.78; 1.05X.80 ; 1.05X 

 .81 ;i.o5x.83 ; i.oSx.So. After all we do not disagree more than 

 our professional brethren. 



In form, eggs vary from ovate to elongate ovate. 



COLORATION. 



All agree that the eggs of the Thi-asher are of a plain light- 

 gray, often with a slight greenish tinge, thickly spotted and dot- 

 ted and sparingly blotched with wood-brown and lavender shell 

 mai'kings ; these markings are often thickest on the larger end, 

 w^here they frequently congregate in a ring or become confluent 

 in a great blotch. Sometimes the eggs are sparingly marked 

 with no aggregation or local clouding. Mr. Strong says : " Some 

 eggs lack the markings and are a plain brownish-gray." 



The period of incubation is about 14 days and the eggs are 

 laid daily if the weather is fair. 



We find Brown Thrasher more sociable, as often seeking the 

 society of man as secluding himself in the woods ; he can hardly 

 be called a deep woods bird, seldom being seen there. He does 

 not altogether waste the sweetness of his beautiful song on the 

 desert air, but pours forth the liquid, bubbling notes where all 

 who choose may hear. 



There is no bird of his size who will more vehemently attack an 

 intruder, or sit so closely when disturbed. Like the Catbird, his 

 nest is soon made, but always neatly within. 



Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina. 



SIUATION OF NEST. 



In Pennsylvania and New Jersey the Wood Thrush prefers 

 chestnut, beech, dogwood, maple, cedar, laurel and spice-wood 

 in the order given, though small shrubs and bushes are sometimes 

 used. In Wisconsin and Iowa, oaks are decidedly the preference, 



shrubs and bushes are not commonly used. 



