FURTHKK OBSEKNATKIXS OK MIi\' N KSC )TA BIRDS: 



its larger size, will at once distinguish it from the following 

 species — the Wilson Thrush or \ eery, with which it vies in the 

 matter of song. In the latter species, the white breast is more or 

 less tinged with cream and dotted with small, somewhat indistinct 

 brownish, wedge-shaped spots. Its upper parts are brownish but 

 not as bright as in the Wood Thrush. 



The first-named bird is 8^ inches long; the latter (Veery) a little 

 over 7 inches. Both la)' greenish-blue eggs in a coarse nest mod- 

 elled somewhat after the nest of the robin, but the nest of the 

 Veery is on or close to the ground. The beautiful song of both of 

 these birds, coming from the dense woods, if once heard, is never 

 forgotten and they are both important insect-eaters ; in fact, the 

 entire thrush family, tho occasional members may be attracted to 

 Derries and fruit, notably in the case of the robin, must be credited 

 with being benefactors of the farmer and fruit raiser. Forbes, 

 after a somewhat exhaustive examination of their food habits, 

 states that 61% of the food of thrushes consists of insects. 



THE BROWN THRUSH OR BROWN THRASHER. 



The excellent illustration here given is sufficient to enable us 

 to recognize this very common bird of our thickets and fields. 

 Rufus brown abo\e, with black spots on a white ground below, its 



