OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. 21 
the arrival of the females by at least a week.’’ The most explicit accounts from the far 
West are, however, those given by Mr. Ridgway, in his still unpublished Report on the 
birds observed during ‘Clarence King’s Survey of the Fortieth Parallel. I quote from 
proof-sheets which he kindly placed at my service: ‘‘“Swainson’s Thrush is a very 
abundant species among the Wahsatch Mountains, and is, in fact, one of the most 
characteristic summer birds of that region. It breeds plentifully in the cafions, where 
its song may be heard almost continually during the nesting season..... Numerous 
nests were found among the thickets bordering the streams; they were generally situ- 
ated about five to six feet from the ground, in the willows or other shrubs, near the 
water.’’ According to Mr. Ridgway the song resembles that of the Wood Thrush in its 
modulations; but the notes want the power, while they possess a finer and more silvery 
tone. Still the bird is a superb singer. This is corroborated by all observers who have 
had an opportunity of listening to its notes. According to Dr. Brewer its song has a 
certain resemblance to that of the Hermit, being yet quite distinct, and the differences 
readily recognized by a familiar ear. It is more prolonged; the notes are more equal 
and rise with more regularity and more gradually, are richer, and each note is more 
complete in itself. 
In some parts of New Hampshire and Maine it is the commonest Thrush except- 
ing the Robin, and it probably may be found in equal numbers in the mountainous 
regions of Vermont and New York during the breeding season. Its usual resorts are 
like those of the Hermit. With the exception of Alice’s Thrush it differs from all other 
Wood Thrushes in the coloring of its eggs. These, usually four in number, are greenish 
blue in color, spotted all over with brown. As a rulé the nest is built in a bush or 
small tree, five to six feet from the ground. In the Arétic regions Mr. Kennicott found 
nests only two feet above the ground. The materials vary with the locality, being 
moss, leaves, bark-strips, and fine fibres, but the layer of mud, so charatteristic in the 
nests of the Robin and Wood Thrush, is wanting. Some nests have a very peculiar 
appearance from the Hypnum-mosses used in their construction. 
I have kept several specimens of the Olive-backed Thrush in confinement for years. 
With kind treatment and proper attention these birds, notwithstanding their unruly 
ways at first, grew accustomed to their new home and even became very tame and 
affectionate. Numerous recently captured adults which I received from time to time 
in Chicago, soon became so docile that they would take meal-worms, grasshoppers, and 
flies from the hand. Their cheerful ways, their peacefulness with other birds of their 
own and other species, their smooth pretty plumage, and other excellent qualities, 
render them very agreeable cage-birds. I kept an especially fine pair in an aviary in 
company with Bluebirds, Baltimore Orioles, Hermits, Catbirds, and Snowbirds. They 
would often chase one another in play about the cage at the same time uttering their 
prolonged very melodious call-notes. 
When these Thrushes are kept in company with other birds, they rarely sing. 
Only when kept alone in a roomy cage and tended carefully, may they be expected to 
sing their full song. For years I have had only two that uttered their wonderful notes in 
all their completeness. This piece of bird music is full of variety, though somewhat mourn- 
ful. I cannot maintain that it bears any great resemblance to the song of other species. 
