2 THRUSHES. 
time drop their wings. This is a very characteristic trait of all true Thrushes. They 
hop over considerable distances on trees, using their wings to aid them. Usually they 
only fly from bush to bush, from tree to tree; during migration, however, they rise 
high into the air and fly with extraordinary rapidity. Their senses are more keenly 
developed than those of most other birds. This is particularly true of sight and hear- 
ing. They hear the faintest sound and they perceive small insects at a considerable dis- 
tance. Mentally they rank high above all other birds. They are very intelligent and 
even cunning, shy and careful when they have learned to know man. They quickly 
distinguish friend from foe, and in their native woods at the approach of danger 
they stand as sentinels for other birds and even for mammals. The love for their, brood 
is highly developed, and they often courageously attack any enemy that disturbs their 
household peace. Another very characteristic trait is their curiosity. They notice every- 
thing that happens around them; anything strange immediately excites their attention. 
They come out inquisitively, hold their heads slightly to one side in a listening attitude, 
stop, and then again advance a little further, always keeping at a respectable distance. 
Though surpassed in song by some allied species of the subfamily of Mocking- 
birds, they far excel all other birds in this respect. It is merely a matter of taste, 
whether the song of the Mockingbird be preferred to that of the Hermit and Veery or 
vice versa. The powerful sonorous voice of all of our true Thrushes fills a whole wood- 
land or orchard. It rises high above the various voices of the great mass of birds. 
However great the esthetic force with which these birds beautify out-door nature 
by means of their wonderful songs and charming sprightliness, their highest value still lies 
in the quality of their food. Though at times they eat small fruits (cherries, straw- 
berries, raspberries, and blackberries), their principal diet is at all times insects, especi- 
ally such as live on the ground and do inestimable damage to the fruit-grower and 
farmer.—The Thrushes and all other small insectivorous birds cannot be valued too 
highly. Let us do all in our power to protect and care for them in every way. 
All our Thrushes are particularly adaptable to cage-life. I shall, however, have 
occasion to revert to this in the description of each particular species. 
o 
