THRASHERS, MOCKINGBIRDS 



(705) Toxostoma riifum 



(Linn.) (Lat., rufous). 



BROWN THRASHER. Plum- 

 age as shown. Whole upper parts, 

 including wings and tail, bright 

 rufous-brown; greater and middle 

 coverts tipped with white, forming 

 two wing bars; lateral tail feathers 

 with pale, almost whitish, tips; under 

 parts white, heavily streaked with 

 blackish, except on the throat and 

 middle of belly. Iris bright yellow. 

 Bill rather long and slightly decurved. 

 L., 11.50; W., 4.05; T., 5.00; B., i.oo; 

 Tar., 1.25. Nest — Of twigs, weeds 

 and coarse rootlets, lined with finer 

 rootlets; in bushes or thickets above 

 ground or on the ground. 



Range — U. S., east of the Rockies; 

 breeds from southern Canada south 

 to the Gulf States. 



ceptions, favorites with every one. Some fruit growers claim 

 they steal their fruit. Undoubtedly they do take some, but 

 consider the quantities of injurious insects they destroy be- 

 fore, after and during the period of fruit. The small boy 

 whose misguided inclination tends toward making a col- 

 lections of birds' eggs thinks twice before he disturbs the 

 Catbird, for experience has taught him that their outcries will 

 alarm the neighborhood and perhaps get him into trouble. 

 Their gentle mewing call notes can and are changed to 

 screams of indignation when the occasion warrants. 



Catbird nests are built in thickets, briers or thorn bushes 

 from two to six feet up. They are composed of twigs and 

 weeds, lined with black rootlets. The eggs are unmarked, 

 greenish-blue, thus very different from the pale blue, brown- 

 spotted ones laid by Mockers. 



BROWN THRASHERS really need no introduction for 

 they are common throughout eastern United States and are 

 fully capable of speaking for themselves. Except while 



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