16 BULLETIN 171, U. S. DEPAKTMENT OF AGEICULTTJEE. 



VARIED THRUSH, OR OREGON ROBIN. 



(Ixoreus ncevius and subspecies.) 



The varied thrush, or Oregon robin, in its two subspecies ranges 

 over the northwestern coast region as far north as Alaska and as 

 far south as northern California. One subspecies, Ixoreus ncevius 

 ncevius, is found from northern California to southeastern Alaska, 

 and the other, Ixoreus ncevius meruloicles, from northwestern Can- 

 ada to central and western Alaska. In winter the two subspecies 

 move southward to southern California. As the country which it 

 inhabits has been settled only in comparatively recent times the bird 

 has not yet become very domestic. It is usually rather shy and 

 much of the time keeps in the tops of trees. Eminently a forest 

 or ravine bird, it prefers the darkest cover. While much resem- 

 bling the robin in form and color it widely differs from it in de- 

 meanor. A 10-acre orchard is none too large for a robin's activities, 

 while a hundred varied thrushes might occupy a similar area and no 

 one would suspect their presence. They venture about houses occa- 

 sionally, but always retreat at the first sight of human life. 



The Oregon robin apparently consumes the least animal food of 

 any member of the family. Eating a very few of many kinds of 

 insects, it never gets a large percentage of any one kind. However, 

 knowledge of the food of this bird is derived from the examination 

 of stomachs taken in winter, whereas stomachs secured in the breed- 

 ing season might lead to entirely different conclusions. 



Although this bird is so shy and inhabits cultivated country during 

 only the colder season, it has in some places made itself offensive by 

 its attacks on cultivated crops. 



In a letter from John M. Edson, dated at New Whatcom, Wash., 

 May 8, 1899, it is stated : 



Numerous reports have come to me from farmers hereabouts corroborative 

 of the statement of the inclosed newspaper clipping with reference to " Oregon 

 robins " working havoc among the pea fields, where it is alleged acres of ground 

 have been divested of seed by them. It is said they appear in large number, 

 sometimes as many as 200 in a flock. The bird pulls up the pea by the sprout, 

 which it breaks off devouring the kernel. * * * The allegations go so far 

 in some instances as to accuse the birds of destroying other grain as well. 



The newspaper clipping referred to is from the Seattle Times of 

 May 4, 1899, and says in part : 



A new fruit and farm pest has appeared in western Washington, to the great 

 detriment and loss of the farmers and fruit growers. A variety of the common 

 brown thrush, which is known on this coast as the Oregon robin, is making sad 

 havoc of the pea acreage in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Farmers in these 

 counties raise a great deal of peas and feed to hogs. The birds lay hold of the 

 peas as soon as they peep from the ground and, pulling up the peas by the 

 shoot, eat it. 



