OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. 409 



River and East Humboldt Mountains, straggling to the Pacific coast. Breeds 

 mostly north of the United States. 



Nest, in a tree or bush, six or eight feet from the ground, composed of 

 rootlets, leaves and moss. 



Eggs, three or four, greenish-blue, freckled with brown. 



In Southern Ontario, the Olive-backed Thrush is a regular visitor 

 during the season of migration, appearing in small companies about 

 the 10th of May, and remaining till about the 25th of the same 

 month, after which none are seen till they return in the fall. While 

 here they frequent low, moist woods, and spend much of their time 

 on the ground, where their food is evidently obtained. When at 

 home, near their nest, the, male is said to have a very pleasing song, 

 which he takes delight in repeating, but while here they have only 

 a low, soft call-note, easily recognized in the woods, but difficult to 

 describe. 



The return trip begins toward the end of September, and con- 

 tinues for about three weeks. At this time the birds move leisurely, 

 and as they fare sumptuously on difierent sorts of wild berries, they 

 get to be in excellent condition, both as regards flesh and plumage. 

 We occasionally fall in with individuals of this species much below 

 the average size, and with the lower parts more deeply suffused with 

 buff. Dr. Wheaton has also observed these little fellows, and sug- 

 gests that they may be a local southern-bred race. In Southern 

 Ontario, none have been observed except in spring and fall. 



They are said to breed in Manitoba, and Prof. Macoun reports 

 them as summer residents in the North- West Territory. Of Alaska, 

 Mr. Nelson says : " From the observations and collections made on 

 the upper Yukon, the Olive-backed Thrush appears to be a common 

 summer resident there, and thus extends its breeding range within 

 the Arctic circle. It appears to be influenced to a great extent in 

 its range by the presence or absence of woods, and its northern limit 

 may be marked as coinciding with the tree limit. The Gray-cheeked 

 Thrush, on the contrary, extends beyond this, wherever a bunch of 

 dwarf willows will give it shelter, to the very shores of the Arctic 

 and Behring Seas." 



