174 BIRDS OF THE PASTURE AND FOREST. 



The Eed-Thrush is considered by many persons the 

 finest songster in the New England forest. Nuttall says , 

 " he is inferior only to the Mocking-Bird in musical tal- 

 ent." I doubt his inferiority except as a mocker. He is 

 superior to the Mocking-Bird in variety, and is surpassed 

 by him only in the sweeter intonations of some of his 

 notes. But no person grows tired of listening to the Eed- 

 Thrush, who constantly varies his notes, while the Mock- 

 ing-Bird tires us with his repetitions, which are often 

 continued to a ludicrous extreme. Perhaps I might give 

 the palm to the Mocking-Bird, were it not for his detesta- 

 ble habit of imitation. But when this habit is considered, 

 I do, without hesitation, place the Bed-Thrush above him 

 as a songster, and above every other bird with whose 

 notes I am acquainted. If I were listening to a melo- 

 dramatic performance, in which all were perfect singers 

 and actors, I should prefer the prima donna to the clown, 

 even if the clown occasionally gave a good imitation of 

 her voice. 



When we are in- a thoughtful mood, the song of the 

 Veery surpasses all others in tranquillizing the mind and 

 yielding something like enchantment to our thoughts. At 

 other times, when strolling in a whortleberry pasture, it 

 seems to me that nothing cau exceed the simple melody 

 of the Wood-Sparrow. But without claiming for the 

 Bed-Thrush, in any remarkable degree, the plaintiveness 

 that distinguishes these pensive warblers, his song in the 

 open field has a charm for all ears, and can be appreciated 

 by the dullest of minds. W T ithout singing badly he 

 pleases the millions. He is vocal at all hours of the day, 

 and when thus employed, devotes himself entirely to song 

 with evident enthusiasm. 



It would be difficult, either by word or by musical nota- 

 tion, to give to one who has not heard the song of the 

 Bed-Thrush a correct idea of it. This bird is not a rapid 



