HABITS OF THE VARIED THRUSH 17 



Suckley appear to have had excellent opportunities of studying 

 the habits of this species. The former remarks, in the Natural 

 History of Washington Territory : — " The varied thrush or 

 western robin is common during winter, and I think that a 

 few remain near the coast all summer, as I have seen them 

 in the dark spruce forests in June and July. They are much 

 more shy and retiring than the robin, and differ very much in 

 song, which, as I have heard it, consists only of five or six 

 notes in a minor key, and in a scale regularly descending. It 

 is commonly heard in the tops of the trees, and in suipmer only 

 in the densest of forests. In winter they associate with the 

 robins, and feed much on the ground, sometimes coming around 

 houses in cold weather." Dr. Suckley continues with his obser- 

 vations, in the same volume : — " In winter it is a shy bird, not 

 generally becoming noticeable in the open districts until after 

 a fall of snow, when many individuals may be seen along the 

 sand beaches near salt water. They are at such times tame 

 and abundant, at least sufficiently so for any ordinary sliot to 

 obtain a dozen specimens in a forenoon. I suppose that they 

 are driven out of the woods during the heavy snows by hunger. 

 It may then frequently be found in company with the common 

 robin, with which it has many similar habits. . . . At this time 

 of the year it is a very silent bird, quite tame, allowing near 

 approach ; flying up when the intruder comes too near, but 

 alighting on the ground again a short distance in front. It 

 appears to be fond of flying by short stages in a desultory 

 manner, sometimes alighting on the ground ; at others on 

 fences, bushes or trees. The settlers here (at Port Townsend) 

 call them spotted, painted, and golden robins. The most con- 

 spicuous mark on the bird which strikes the eye at first is the 

 black crescent on the fore part of the breast." 



Never having myself met with the Varied Thrush, I have 

 presented the principal accounts which have reached us respect- 

 ing its general habits and manners. Its nest and eggs remain 

 to be noticed, and its geographical distribution to be traced. 



Mr. W. H. Dal), to whose important researches we are in- 

 debted for a decided increase in our knowledge of the birds of 

 Alaska, found the Varied Thrush nesting at Nulato, May 22d, 

 and gave us our first information on this special subject. A 

 nest which he found was built in a willow-bush, about two feet 

 from the ground, on a mass of debris which had lodged during 

 an overflow of the river. Its shape, as described by Dr. 

 2b c 



