THRUSHES 



(755) Hylocichla mustelina 



iGmd.) (Gr., forest thrush; Lat.. weasel- 

 like, comparing its color to that of the weasel 

 in summer). 



WOOD THRUSH. ^Js. ^Plum- 

 age as shown; upper parts cinnamon- 

 brown, shading to reddish-brown on 

 the top of the head; under parts 

 white, profusely marked with round 

 blackisii spots, except on the throat 

 and belly. Im. — Speckled on the up- 

 per parts, including the wing coverts, 

 with yellowish-brown ; this plumage in 

 a few weeks changes to that of the 

 adults. L., 8.00; W., 4.40; T., 2.90; 

 B., .65. Nest — Of grass, weeds, 

 leaves and some mud; in bushes or 

 trees not far above ground; three to 

 five greenish-blue eggs, 1.02 x .75. 



Range — Breeds from southern N. 

 H., Ont., Wis., and N. Dak. south to 

 the Gulf States. 



a sharp twanging note sounding something Hke the "ping" 

 of a passing bullet. Their song has much the character of 

 that of Ruby-crowned Kinglets but it is very weak in volume, 

 being almost inaudible when the birds are high up. 



These birds easUy bear off the palm for exquisite home 

 building, making dainty little high-sided cups of plant fibres 

 and cobwebs, saddled on high limbs, and with the exterior 

 fully decorated with green and gray lichens. It is a home 

 simUar to that of our eastern hummingbird but of better and 

 more artistic construction throughout. The walls are so 

 high that only the tip of the taU of the sitting bird appears 

 above the brim. 



Family TURDIDyE. Thrushes, Bluebirds, etc. 



Members of this family have the vocal chords very highly 

 developed and some of them are rated as among our best 

 songsters. With few exceptions they are all good musicians. 

 Their food consists almost wholly of insects or berries. 



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