CRISSAL THRASHER. 69 
of Arizona. Among the Brown Thrushes one of the most interesting forms is the CRISSAL 
or RED-VENTED THRASHER. 
As I have not had an opportunity of observing this species myself, I give here an 
extract of a paper written by Dr. E. A. Mearns, and published in the “Auk” III. (1886, 
p. 292—298). He writes: “I first met this Thrasher on March 24, 1884, about fifteen 
miles east of Prescott, when riding from Fort Whipple to Fort Verde, Arizona. When 
we left Whipple in the morning, the ground was covered with snow; but a ride of a 
few miles, during which we descended several hundred feet, brought us to a changed 
climate. A few Crissal Thrashers were then occasionally noted among the thickets of 
scrub oak, and their numbers increased until we reached the Verde Valley. - 
“The Red-vented Thrasher is abundant all over the Verde bottom land, preferring 
mesquite thickets and the vicinage of streams. One of the first traits that we noticed 
about it was that it possessed a song of very remarkable scope and sweetness, having 
all the power of the Mockingbird, and an evenness and perfect modulation which that 
bird may well envy. It is one of the few birds that truly sing; and it shares, in this 
Territory, this rare gift with its three congeners—Bendire’s, Palmer’s, and Le Conte’s 
Thrashers. It is no warbler of pretty ditties, nor yet a medley singer like the Eastern 
Thrasher or the Mockingbird, but discourses pure, natural music from the top of the 
tallest bushes, where it perches, with its tail hanging down, in precisely the same atti- 
tude as the Brown Thrasher of the East. Its season of song is more protracted than 
that of any other species with which Iam familiar. Its best efforts are put forth during 
the mating season, in February, March, and April; but, except during July and August, 
when the heat becomes intense and the Thrasher’s plumage is bleached almost to white- 
ness, and worn to tattered shreds amongst the thorny chaparral in which it finds food 
and some shelter from the sun, it sings commonly throughout the year. The warm 
sunshine of a winter’s day suffices to bring out its full song, which, perchance, has been 
hushed by a cold snap and flurry of snow. At first come a few notes of doubtful con- 
fidence, barely sufficing to remind one that it can sing; then a thoughtful, somewhat 
desultory song, till the power of the tropical sun asserts itself, or the genial influence 
of its mate is felt, when this harmonious soliloquy grows into a serene and dignified 
performance that challenges attention and excites admiration. The Crissal Thrasher is 
a shy bird, and only sings when it fancies itself secure from intrusions upon its solitude; 
but, about ranches, where it associates with man, it loses some of its wildness, and 
becomes more confident and trusting. After the autumnal moult, when berries, grapes, 
and other acceptable food is plentiful, there is a distin& revival of song in this species. 
It has no loud call-note like the other species. 
“It is, like the rest of the Thrushes, highly terrestrial, and runs swiftly upon the 
ground from one bush to the next, often jetting its long tail upward. It mounts to 
the bush-tops to sing by hopping from branch to branch, and clambers through dense, 
spiny brush-wood with surprising agility. In general it may be set down as a shy bird, 
though at times becoming quite familiar. It makes but little use of its short, rounded 
wings as a rule, but occasionally makes long flights across a cafion or valley, setting 
its wings and soaring, like Gambel’s Quail. 
“Before the end of April, young birds were seen that were already strong on the 
