BIRDS OF NEW YORK 527 



It nests near Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island (Braislin, Cherrie, Harper 

 and Davis); in Bergen swamp, Genesee county; in some of the gullies 

 near the head of Canandaigua lake; near Branchport on Keuka lake and 

 various other localities of the central lake region. It therefore does not seem 

 to confine itself to the Canadian zone in this State, but at the same time is 

 practically absent from all the forests of the greater portion of the State 

 excepting the spruce, balsam and hemlock zones. It is a common transient 

 in all parts of the State, where it does not occur as a summer resident, and in 

 various localities in the lower Hudson valley and on Long Island is found 

 throughout the winter. The spring migration begins from March 25 to 

 April 10, and where it is not a summer resident the last migrants are found 

 to disappear between the 5th and 20th of May. It arrives from the north 

 ■from the ist to the i8th of October and passes southward from October 

 20 to November 26. Thus it is evidently one of the hardiest of the family, 

 practically rivaling the Robin and Bluebird in its ability to withstand 

 the northern cold. 



Haunts and habits. During migration time this thrush is frequently 

 seen about our lawns as well as in the woodlands in all parts of the State. 

 It feeds mostly on the ground after the manner of the Robin, and when 

 slightly disturbed utters a low chuck and flies to the low branch of a tree. 

 Upon alighting it almost always tilts its tail slowly, thereby giving an 

 " ear mark " of its identity when the bird is so far away that its colors 

 can not be recognized. Besides this common call of the Hermit, it has 

 also a harsh " speke " note which is usually heard only on the breeding 

 grounds, when one is in the vicinity of its nest. The Hermit thrush is 

 often called the Swamp robin, on account of his beautiful song and his 

 preference for cool, damp forests. Balsam and spruce coverts are his 

 special abode. In the winter he prefers cedar groves and evergreen swamps 

 near the coast. In the Adirondack forest his exquisite song can be heard 

 morning and evening throughout the breeding season, frequently through 

 the greater portion of the day, especially in cloudy weather. Bicknell 

 says: " The Hermit thrush bears high distinction among our songbirds. 

 The notes are not remarkable for variety or volume, but in purity and 



