( 441 ) 



FERRUGINOUS THRUSH. 



TURDUS RUFUS, LiNN. 

 PLATE CXVI. Vol. II. p. 102. 



This species is abundant in the Texas, and breeds there. It was 

 not observed by Dr Townsenu on the Rocky Mountains, or any where 

 beyond them. According to Dr Richakdson, the vicinity of the Sas- 

 katchewan River forms its northern limits. Dr T. M. Brewer writes 

 me as follows : — " Your account of the habits of the Brown Thrush 

 does not leave me any thing to add. I will therefore only trouble you 

 with the following test of the ability of this bird to detect the intru- 

 sion of eggs not belonging to it. I found this simimer, 1837, a nest 

 containing three eggs, which I removed, leaving in their place three 

 Robin's eggs, and retired to wait the issue. In a few moments the fe- 

 male approached, gave the contents of the nest a hasty survey, and im- 

 mediately flew off. She returned in a short time in company with her 

 mate, and both flew to the nest apparently in the greatest rage, took 

 each an egg in their claws, and dashed it against the ground at the dis- 

 tance of more than a rod from the nest, the female repeating the same 

 to the other egg. This done, they continued for some time to vent 

 their rage on the broken eggs, tossing them about, and at the same 

 time manifesting their displeasure in every possible way. They after- 

 wards forsook the nest. The eggs measure an inch and an eighth in 

 length, six and a half eighths in breadth. They never raise more than 

 one brood in a season here." 



As in the preceding species, the roof of the mouth is flat, with two 

 longitudinal ridges behind, a median and two slight lateral ridges be- 

 fore. The posterior aperture of the nares is linear-oblong, i inch in 

 length, margined with papillae. The tongue is slender, emarginate and 

 papillate at the base, slightly concave above, horny in the greater part 

 of its length, thin-edged toward the end, and with the point slit and 

 lacerated. The oesophagus is 3 inches long, without dilatation, 3 

 twelfths in width. The stomach is of moderate size, 10 twelfths long, 

 ^9 twelfths broad, its lateral muscles well developed, the tendons large ; 



