374 WOOD THRUSH. 



that on such occasions their music is more than ordinarily effective, as it 

 then exhibits a degree of skilful modulation quite beyond my power to 

 describe. These concerts are continued for some time after sunset, and 

 take place in the month of June, when the females are sitting. 



This species glides swiftly through the woods, whilst on wing, and 

 performs its migrations without appearing in the open country. It is a 

 constant resident in the State of Louisiana, to which the dispersed indi- 

 viduals resort, as to winter quarters, from the different parts of the 

 United States, to which they had gone to breed. They reach Pennsyl- 

 vania about the beginning or middle of April, and gradually proceed 

 farther north. 



Their food consists of different kinds of berries and small fruits, which 

 they procure in the woods, without ever interfering with the farmer. 

 They also occasionally feed on insects and various lichens. 



The nest is usually placed in a low horizontal branch of the Dog- 

 wood Tree, occasionally on smaller shrubs. It is large, well saddled on 

 the branch, and composed externally of dry leaves of various kinds, 

 with a second bed of grasses and mud, and an internal layer of fine 

 fibrous roots. The eggs are four or five, of a beautiful uniform light 

 blue. The nest is generally found in deep swampy hollows, on the sides 

 of hills. 



On alighting on a branch, this Thrush gives its tail a few jets, utter- 

 ing at each motion a low chuckhng note peculiar to itself, and very dif- 

 ferent from those of the Hermit or Tawny Thrush. It then stands still 

 for a while, with the feathers of the hind part a little raised. It walks 

 and hops along the branches with much ease, and often bends down its 

 head to peep at the objects around. It frequently alights on the ground, 

 and scratches up the dried leaves in search of worms and beetles, but 

 suddenly flies back to the trees, on the least alarm. 



The sight of a fox or raccoon causes them much anxiety, and they ge- 

 nerally follow these animals at a respectful distance, uttering a mournful 

 chick, well known to hunters. Although, during winter, these birds are 

 numerous in Louisiana, they never form themselves into flocks, but go 

 singly at this period, and only in pairs in the breeding season. They are 

 easily reared from the nest, and sing nearly as well in confinement as 

 while fi'ee. Their song is occasionally heard during the whole >vinter, 

 particularly when the sun reappears after a shower. Their flesh is ex- 

 tremely delicate and juicy, and many of them are killed with the blow-gun. 



