1922] Swarth: Birds and Mammals of the Stikine Region 303 



species, it must be on the criterion of individual variation rather than 

 on that of gradual blending through the population of contiguous 

 territories. In the Stikine region the two forms occur, in the interior 

 and on the coast, respectively, and within a few miles of each other, 

 as distinct in appearance as any two species. On the other hand, as 

 regards song, nesting habits and eggs, these features all supply evi- 

 dence to show close relationships between the two. In none of these 

 respects is there any apparent difference. 



Twenty-one specimens of the olive-backed thrush were collected 

 (nos. 40288-40308), fifteen adults and six young. 



Hylocichla guttata guttata (Pallas). Alaska Hermit Thrush 



There were a few pairs nesting along Telegraph Creek to within a 

 mile or two of the Stikine, but mostly the birds were at higher eleva- 

 tions. None was seen in the immediate vicinity of Glenora or of 

 Doch-da-on Creek, but the species was encountered in spruce woods 

 on the mountains above the latter point, at about 3000 feet altitude. 



Two nests were taken. The first (no. 1.827) was found on May 23, 

 with three eggs, and collected on May 26 with a set of five. It was in 

 the creek bottom, about two miles north of the town of Telegraph 

 Creek, some three feet from the ground, in a spruce sapling. The nest 

 rested against the trunk and upon some small branches. The outer 

 structure is of twigs, weed stems, rootlets and bark strips ; the lining 

 is of fine rootlets and grass, with a good many of the long overhairs 

 of a porcupine. It measures as follows: greatest outside diameter 

 'about 160 mm.; outside depth, 90; inside diameter, 60; inside depth, 

 40 mm. 



The second nest (no. 1828) was taken June 4, with four slightly 

 incubated eggs. This was found near the Junction, four miles north 

 of Telegraph Creek, amid similar surroundings to the first one. It 

 was placed between two small spruce trees, thirty inches from the 

 ground. In general appearance and in details of structure, it is very 

 similar to the first one found, even to the porcupine hairs in the lining. 

 Both were in situations where there was little concealing vegetation, 

 and were easily seen from some distance. 



Five specimens, two males and three females, were collected be- 

 tween Telegraph Creek and the Summit (nos. 40309-40313). The 

 hermit thrush of this general region has been referred to Hylocichla 

 guttata sequoiensis by Ridgway (1907, p. 44) ; specimens from Atlin, 

 two hundred miles north of Telegraph Creek, have been recorded as 



