BROWN THRUSH. 211 



rather then popular. Of unattractive colors and unpleasant note, his 

 name seems to bring upon him only contempt. Although the nearest 

 relation to the prized Mockingbird, and possessing many of his attrac- 

 tions, with those who know of the relation, he seems only to lose 

 by comparison. Few who listen to his sweet and powerful song, as he 

 sits almost erect on the highest branch, can feel the admiration which it 

 inspired, when it closes with the mocking catcall note, and with a saucy 

 flirt of his tail he disappears in the deepest thicket. But little he cares 

 for public opinion. He does not ask if his society is welcome, but 

 unasked takes up his abode in our dooryards and helps himself to our 

 berries and cherries. The good he does is untold, for he is always 

 busy and not always in mischief. Worms, insects, and spiders form 

 most of his daily fare. He has no favorite dwelling place, but in thickets, 

 orchards, woods, and along streams of water his note is heard every 

 few yards. His nest is built in some thick bush, constructed of coarse 

 materials, mainly dead twigs. The eggs are usually four, light bluish- 

 green, unspotted, and measure .99 by .75. 



Gbnos HARPORHYNCHUS. Cabanis. 



Bill abont as long as the head, unnotched ; tail moderately longer than wings. Outer 

 lateral toe a little longer than inner. 



Haeporhynchus rufus (L.) Cab. 



Turdm rufus, Kirtland, Ohio Geolog. Surv., 183S, 163. 



Mimvs rufus, Read, Fam. Visitor, iii, 1853, 399 ; Proo. Philad. Acad. Nat. Soi., vi. 1853, 

 395. 



Harporhynchus rufus, Whkaton, Ohio Agri. Rep. for 1860, 365 ; Reprint, 1861, 7 ; Food ol 

 Birds, etc., Ohio Agri. Rep. for 1874, 562 ; Reprint, 1875, 2. — Lasgdon, Cat. Birds of 

 Cin.j 1877, 3; Revised List, Journ. Gin. Soo. Nat. Hist., i, 1879, 169; Reprint 3. 



Thrush, Kirtland, Fam. Visitor, i, 1850, 1. — Ballou, Field and Forest, iii, 1878, 136, 



Tardus rufus, LlNN.ffi;U8, Syst. Nat. i., 1758, 169. 



Mimus rufus. Gray. 



Harporhynchus rufus Cabanis, Mas. Hein., i, 1850, 82. 



Above reddish brown ; below-white, with more or less tawny tinge. Breast and sides 

 spotted with dark brown. Throat and belly unspotted. Bill black above, yellow be- 

 low, feet pale, iris yellow. Length 11 ; wing 4 ; tail 5 to 6. 



Habitat, Eastern United States. 



Common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives usually about the 10th 

 of April and remains until September. The Brown Thrush or, as he is 

 sometimes called, French Mockingbird is well known throughout the 

 State. Though never so abundant as the Catbird, his size and eccentric 



