66 CALIFORNIA THRASHER. 
the Brown Thrush’s, only larger. The ground-color varies from pale to a rich pea-green. 
The markings are brown, evenly and finely scattered over the entire egg.’’ (Sennett.) 
In the following year, Mr. Sennett found this Thrasher more common farther up 
the Rio Grande, near Hidalgo. ‘The Curve-billed Thrush,” he adds, ‘in color somewhat 
resembles the Mockingbird, and in bushes where other characteristics are not readily 
distinguished, may be taken for it at a short range. This species, like the Long-billed, 
is usually more fond of dense cover than the Mockingbird, and while not often found 
in the heaviest timber, yet will be found in the thickets common on the edges of such 
tracts. In open woodland, where clumps of tall, thorny bushes and cacti surround these 
scattered trees, it is always found, and usually in company with the Long-billed Thrush. 
By the 1st of April the plumage becomes faded and worn, and, by the latter part of 
May, moulting begins. About this time, also, the small black fruit or berry of the 
como-tree, upon which the bird feeds, ripens.’” The plumage becomes stained with the 
purple juice of this food. ‘Nests are seldom found lower than four feet from the ground. 
The last nest I examined, just before leaving the ranch, ... was situated on the lowest 
branch of a small tree near the house, entirely exposed to view and, standing upon a 
chair, I was able to look into it. This fearlessness is exceptional, but indicates that, 
were the country thickly settled, this bird might become as domestic as the Mocking- 
bird or Robin. It is resident where found, commences to breed in March on the Rio 
Grande, and rears several broods in a season.” 
NAMES: CuRVE-BILLED THRASHER, Curve-billed Thru$h. 
SCIENTIFIC NAMES: HARPORHYNCHUS CURVIROSTRIS Can. (1850). Orpheus curvirostris Swainson, 
Toxostoma curvirostre Cab. 
DESCRIPTION: Above, like the Mockingbird, uniform brownish-gray; wings and tail darker brown. Below, 
dull whitish, shaded on the chest and along the sides with brownish-gray, marked with rounded spots 
of brownish, most numerous on the breast. Throat, quite white, without spots. Two white cross- 
bars on the wings. Tail-feathers distinctly tipped with white.—Length about 11 inches. 
A variety, PaALMER’s THRASHER (H. curvirostris palmeri Ripew.), is similar. It 
occurs in southern Arizona, and south into Sonora. 
CALIFORNIA THRASHER. 
Harporhynchus redivivus Cas. 
This Thrasher, one of our finest songsters, has a somewhat restricted distribution, 
being confined to the coast region of California, where it is, however, quite common. 
It resembles in every respect our familiar Brown Thrush of the Eastern States, but 
appears to be more shy and retired in its habits. Colonel McCall describes the song as 
of exquisite sweetness, “placing it almost beyond rivalry among the countless songsters 
that enliven the woods of America.” 
NAMES: Cauirornia THRASHER, California Brown Thrush. 
SCIENTIFIC NAMES: HARPORHYNCHUS REDIVIVUS Can, (1848). Toxostoma rediviva Gams. (1847). 
DESCRIPTION: “Bill, much decurved, longer than the head. Above, brownish-olive, without any shade of 
grecn; beneath, pale cinnamon, lightest on the throat, deepening gradually into a brownish-rufous on 
the under tail-coverts. The fore part of the breast and sides of the body brownish olive, lighter than 
the back.” —Length 11.50 inches; wing 4.20, tail 5.75 inches, 
