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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



sweetness of tone and exquisite modulation they are unequalled, in tran- 

 quil clearness of tone and exalted serenity of expression going beyond any 

 woods music we ever hear." Hoffman says: " The song of the Hermit 

 is divided into cadences of different pitch. Each cadence is introduced 

 by a pure fluted note, then follow two or three higher notes given with 

 a tremulo effect. These are either given three on the same pitch or, more 

 often, the last two are a little higher or lower than the first. The intro- 

 ductory note is held long enough to give a calm, meditative effect to the 

 song. It also serves to give the pitch to the cadences, one of which is 



Photo by Verdi Burtch 

 Hermit thrush on nest 



Photo by Verdi Burtch 

 Hermit thrush's nest and eggs 



so high it is hardly to be heard at a distance. The others are very full 

 soprano or mezzo-soprano. There are no bass notes such as the Wood 

 thrush strikes and no great intervals between any two notes." 



The Hermit makes its nest on the ground or in the low branches of 

 some thick tree. It is composed of coarse grasses, leaves and mosses, lined 

 with dark rootlets or pine needles. Beneath the lining is usually a cup 

 of mud or damp rotten wood as is customary with the other thrushes. 

 The eggs are 4 to 6 in number, usually 4, greenish blue in color, lighter 

 than those of the Wood thrush, and average .88 by .69 inches in dimensions. 



