america:n^ robin 199 



The American Robin, or Migratory Thrush, is one 

 of the most f amihar of our birds, being found through- 

 out the whole of North America. The name "Robin," 

 or "Redbreast," was given it by the early English set- 

 tlers in this country, on account of its resemblance to 

 the Old World bird called by that name. The Robin 

 of the New World, however, is a much larger form, 

 being nearly twice the size of its European cousin, and 

 the red breast is different in hue. It is slate-colour 

 above, the head is black, and the throat is streaked with 

 white. The food of the Robin consists of worms, in- 

 sects, and fruit. The f oimdation of the nest is made of 

 mud, lined with grasses and other soft materials. The 

 song and call-notes of this bird are very varied, 

 expressing suspicion, alarm, caution, and so on, and 

 many of them have never been satisfactorily inter- 

 preted. 



The Bluebird is another well-known American 

 member of the Thrush famQy, whose arrival in the 

 spring is eagerly looked forward to. It is a resident 

 species throughout eastern North America, though the 

 majority of Bluebirds go South for the winter. The 

 general colouring of the upper parts is brilliant blue, 

 darkening on the wings ; dull reddish on the breast, the 

 rest of the under parts whitish. The yoimg are 

 spotted on breast and back. 



The largest member of the Thrush family in Amer- 

 ica is the Wood Thrush, reddish-brown above, chang- 

 ing to olive-brown on the tail. Except on the throat 

 and down the middle, the xm^der parts are thickly 

 spotted with black, the spots reaching well up under 

 the wings. This bird is conmion in the Eastern States. 



