CHAPTER XIV 



THRUSH COUSINS 



{Thrashers, Wrens, Titmice, Kinglets, Thrushes, Etc.) 



SUCH a bird as the Brown Thrasher is often popu- 

 larly thought of as a kind of thrush, but, though this 

 is not strictly correct, it has so much in common 

 with the thrushes that we can quite naturally talk of the 

 group to which it belongs, and those between it and the 

 thrushes in the classification, along with the true thrushes. 



Our thrasher, together with the familiar Catbird and 

 the various wrens, are classed in a family called Troglo- 

 dytidw, or wren-like birds. This scientific name literally 

 means "cave-dwellers," suggesting that they are all birds 

 of a sort of under-world, fond of seeking out holes and 

 crevices and impenetrable tangles, sly and artful dodgers. 

 Though willing enough to show themselves upon occa- 

 sion, they seldom get very far from the possible place of 

 refuge, into which they can dive upon the slightest alarm. 

 Wherever a bird of their size can penetrate, they can do 

 likewise with their enchantments, or even go it one better. 



Most people know — or at any rate ought to know — 

 the Brown Thrasher, the rather large bird with rich 

 reddish-brown back and a long tail, which is so fond 



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