VARIED THRUSH. 23 



having all the shy sagacity of the Robin, and appearing at all times in a very 

 desultory manner." 



The numerous specimens of this Thrush in my possession have enabled 

 me to compare it with Tardus migratorius, and another new Thrush from 

 Chili. On examining the tail, from the shape of which Mr. Swainson 

 considers this species allied to our Mocking-bird, I found its form, length, 

 and extent beyond the wings, to correspond almost exactly with those of the 

 tail of our Robin; and, if it proves true that the Varied Thrush forms a nest 

 bedded with mud, it will strengthen my opinion that both these and the 

 Chilian species are as nearly allied as possible, and therefore ought to be 

 considered as true Thrushes, of which Turdus migratorius is the type in 

 America, whilst Turdus Merula is that of Europe. 



The figures in my plate were taken from adult males and a fine female 

 shot in spring. 



Orpheus meruloides, Thrush-like Mocking-bird, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer.,vol. 



ii. p. 187. 

 Varied Thrush, Turdus ncevius, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 489; vol. v. p. 284. 



Male with the bill black, the upper parts deep leaden-grey, the head 

 darker; quills and tail-feathers dusky, the outer webs of the latter tinged 

 with grey, and their tips white; lore dusky; a band of reddish-orange from 

 over the fore part of the eye down the side of the neck; two conspicuous 

 bands of the same crossing the wing obliquely, being formed by the tips of 

 the first row of small coverts, and those of the secondary coverts; outer 

 webs of primary coverts about the middle, a band on the primaries near the 

 base, part of their outer webs towards the end, and the tips of the secondaries 

 pale reddish-orange; lower parts light reddish-orange, paler behind; a band 

 of greyish-black passing down the side of the neck, and a belt of the same 

 crossing its lower part; feathers of the sides tipped with bluish-grey; those 

 of the middle of the abdomen white; lower tail-coverts tipped with white; 

 axillar feathers white, tipped with grey, smaller coverts grey, tipped with 

 reddish-white; primary coverts grey, secondary nearly white. Female 

 similar, with the upper parts tinged with olive-brown, the reddish-orange 

 bands much paler, the tail-feathers margined with dull reddish-brown; a band 

 on the lore down the sides of the neck and across it light greyish-brown; the 

 orange tints of the lower parts much paler. 



Length to end of tail 10 inches; wing from flexure 5 T 2 o-; tail 3^: bill along 

 the ridge yf; tarsus 1?; middle toe and claw lyj. 



The plant represented on the plate is the American mistletoe, Viscum 

 verticillatum, on the berries of which several of our Thrushes occasionally 



