07 i the While-throated Ground-Thrush. 181


these things cannot be said of the White-throated Ground-

Thrush without misrepresenting its nature. It is fond of the

giound I admit, but is fonder of bushes and the boughs of trees

at a moderate and medium height from the ground. Probably

it keeps about as much to the ground as our English Robin does,

though often mounting to higher boughs like our Song Thrush.

When Mr. Gronvold made his first sketch of one of my White-

throated Ground-Thrushes, he figured a bird on the ground. I

protested. He urged that a Ground-Thrush should be figured

on the ground to be in keeping with its name. I rejoined that

this particular species should be figured in a tree to be in

keeping with its habits ; so on a tree it appears. It is also fond

of sitting on stumps of trees, logs, rocks, and the like.


A tiue giound bird would be gifted with greater powers ot

tunning or fleetness of foot. This species 7ieither runs nor walks.

but progresses by means of hops. When on the ground, it

proceeds rapidly forward for a short distance and then pauses,

makes another quick advance and again stops, only when greatly

pushed proceeding forward to any considerable though limited

distance ; when pursued or greatly alarmed, it certainly can

scuttle along under the bushes with great rapidity, but not far

for very shortly, if need be, it takes to flight.


Probably I am quite correct in the conclusion I have come

to that, when undisturbed, the White-tliroated Ground-Thrush

piefers being off the ground except when feeding. It hops

sedately from bough to bough, very leisurely and at infrequent

intervals, but ceaselessly pouring out its gentle warble or louder

and defiant song. It seems to be a very local and stationary

species, and when undisturbed its movements are slow

measured, and dignified. But at the approach of man it

•drops to the ground, so as to hide its bright chestnut breast,

for the upper parts lend themselves well to concealment in the

solemn gloom of the forest. Each time it takes its short “run,” it

lowers its head so that the whole bird is parallel with the ground,

but at each quick halt it stands erect, keenly alert and watchful;

nevertheless all the time it assuredly knows full well the value of

and puts trust in its protective colouring; and, as I have found

over and over again, it is remarkable how easy it is to overlook



