173 
has noted (Bull. N. О. Club, vol. viii. p. 12), is very particularly different from the sharp liquid ‘ pip’ 
ог“ реепк ' of the typical Olive-back. The song, ‘ tsiderea, tsiderea, tsiderea;’ sometimes * tsiderea, rea, 
tsiderea,’ or some other modulation of the same theme, is similar in tone to that of Wilson's Thrush, 
but more slender and wiry, and therefore not nearly so musical and grand. In the solitude of its 
evergreen islands, however, this bird is by no means an inferior songster, the sibilant tones of its 
voice being finely relieved by certain more prolonged and liquid vibrations. A careful examination 
satisfied me that the bird was Bicknell's Thrush, lately identified in the Catskills and in the White 
Mountains, and named in honour of its discoverer. It was so abundant, and not particularly shy for 
a Thrush, that I had the most ample opportunity for the study of its habits; and several specimens 
were secured and retained. Next to its lesser size, its structural peculiarity is its slender, depressed, 
and finely curved bill, compared with which that of the typical Olive-back seems thick and clumsy. 
While singing, which occurred throughout the day, but more especially in the evening twilight and 
early morning, the bird delighted to perch in the top of the evergreens, often on the very tip, where 
its bright, brown figure, with elevated head, was quite conspicuous. On the ground and in taking its 
food, its habits were precisely like those of other Thrushes. 
“То find the nest of this species was my great desideratum ; and though the bird was so 
numerous it was by no means an easy task. Many an hour did I thread my way through almost 
impenetrable evergreen thickets before 1 could secure the much coveted prize. At last my search 
was rewarded by nests in considerable numbers, and all as nearly alike in location, structure, and 
materials as it is possible for nests to be. 
“ Placed a few feet from the ground, and against the trunk of an evergreen tree, it was composed 
externally of various kinds of mosses, including a few fine sticks, weed-stems and rootlets, and was 
lined with fine grasses well bleached ; so that, outside, the nest was as green as a bunch of fresh 
moss, and the inside was light brown. The eggs, :87x':63 of an inch, are light bluish-green, 
speckled with brown. 
“ About the Mud and Seal Islands dense fogs prevail almost continually throughout the summer. 
This excessive moisture, so productive of mosses, causes the moss in the walls of the Thrushes' nests 
to grow; hence the nests of previous years, well protected from the weather by dense evergreens, 
become elegant moss-baskets finely ornamented within and without with living cryptogams. І saw 
a number such, which looked as if they had grown in situ on the tree." 
In Mr. Bicknell’s paper on the “Singing of Birds” (Auk, i. p. 180, 1884), the accompanying 
notes must refer to the present bird :— 
* It is occasionally in song with us through the first week in June,—that is, I have heard it up 
to June 4. I am well satisfied that the songs of the Grey-cheeked and Olive-backed Thrushes are 
not alike; in fact that they are as distinct from one another as from the songs of the other small 
Thrushes. 
* During recent seasons particular attention was paid to the songs of these birds, and a clear 
difference between the songs of individuals of each proved to be constant, so far as limited observation 
went. Ава result of my experience with these birds, I have little hesitation іп characterizing the 
song of the Grey-cheeked Thrush as weaker than that of the Olive-backed, entirely dissimilar in 
tone, and with a somewhat different disposition of notes. Instead of musically outbursting, it is 
singularly subdued, and has a far-away and rather ventriloquial sound. It seems more the 
expression of some distinct emotion revived in memory than of a suddenly felt present emotion 
which the song of the Olive-backed Thrush suggests." (В. B. 8.) 
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