136 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 



but never certain as to its identity. On April 20, 1920, a dead 

 bird was found by Miss Bertha Nagle of Vermillion, which 

 proved to be a Hermit Thrush. On close examination they can 

 be easily separated from the abundant Olive-backed Thrush by 

 the reddish brown tail and absence of any- buff on breast and 

 sides of neck. In size they are about the same. 



761. Robin (Planestkus migratorius migratorius.) 



Few people think of the Robin as a Thrush. He is just 

 "the Robin" to us — one of the common people, a good neighbor, 

 a dependable friend, a thoroughly substantial bird citizen. 



The Robin, however, is the typical Thrush, the most 

 highly developed of them all. Everything about this exceedingly 

 satisfactory bird might well be characterized by the one word, 

 substantial — its colors, its song, its nest, its young, its friend- 

 ship, its prowess. Robins are found all over our State in sum- 

 mer, and in the southeastern part loose flocks not infrequently 

 remain all winter. Indeed in our coldest winters flocks of 

 twenty or more have been seen on the University campus and 

 in the wooded ravines at Vermillion. 



The Robin is the first bird in the migrating procession to 

 arrive from the south. Even after his lusty song has been heard, 

 snowstorms are not infrequent. At such times half a dozen may 

 often be seen in the top of a maple feeding on the swelling buds. 



761a. Western Robin (Planestkus migratorius propinquus.) 



A summer resident in the Black Hills and Harding County. 

 Similar to the preceding but there is no white on the tail feath- 

 ers. Feeding and nesting habits the same. 



766. Bluebird (Sialia sialis sialis.) 



The Bluebird, sometimes called Wilson's Bluebird, is a 

 close companion of the Robin in its spring arrival in the north 

 and, like the Robin, occasionally winters in South Dakota. 



Length seven inches. Male: above, bright blue; throat 

 and breast reddish brown ; lower belly white ; female : paler, both 

 above and below. 



