26 WOOD THRUSH. 



skilful modulation quite beyond my power to describe. These concerts are 

 continued for some time after sunset, and take place in the month of June, 

 when the females are sitting. 



This species glides swiftly through the woods, whilst on wing, and 

 performs its ^migrations without appearing in the open country. It is a 

 constant resident in the State of Louisiana, to which the dispersed individuals 

 resort, as to winter quarters, from the different parts of the United States, 

 to which they had gone to breed. They reach Pennsylvania about the 

 beginning or middle of April, and gradually proceed farther north. 



Their food consists of different kinds of berries and small fruits, which 

 they procure in the woods, without ever interfering with the farmer. They 

 also occasionally feed on insects and various lichens. 



The nest is usually placed in a low horizontal branch of the dogwood 

 tree, occasionally on smaller shrubs. It is large, well saddled on the branch, 

 and composed externally of dry leaves of various kinds, with a second bed 

 of grasses and mud, and an internal layer of fine fibrous roots. The eggs 

 are four or five, of a beautiful uniform light blue. The nest is generally 

 found in deep swampy hollows, on the sides of hills. 



On alighting on a branch, this Thrush gives its tail a few jets, uttering at 

 each motion a low chuckling note peculiar to itself, and very different from 

 those of the Hermit or Tawny Thrush. It then stands still for awhile, with 

 the feathers of the hind part a little raised. It walks and hops along the 

 branches with much ease, and often bends down its head to *peep at the 

 objects around. It frequently alights on the ground, and scratches up the 

 dried leaves in search of worms and beetles, but suddenly flies back to the 

 trees, on the least alarm. 



The sight of a fox or racoon causes them much anxiety, and they 

 generally follow these animals at a respectful distance, uttering a mournful 

 cluck, well known to hunters. Although, during winter, these birds are 

 numerous in Louisiana, they never form themselves into flocks, but go singly 

 at this period, and only in pairs in the breeding season. They are easily 

 reared from the nest, and sing nearly as well in confinement as while free. 

 Their song is occasionally heard during the whole winter, particularly when 

 the sun reappears after a shower. Their flesh is extremely delicate and 

 juicy, and many of them are killed with the blow-gun. 



You here see the dogwood in its autumnal colouring, adorned with its 

 berries, of which the Wood Thrush is fond. 



Wood Thrush, Turdus melodus, Wils. Araer. Orn., vol. i. p. 35. 



TURDDS MUSTELINUS, Bonap. Si'll., p. 75. 



Wood Thrush, Turdus mustelinus, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 343. 



Wood Thrush, Turdus mustelinus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 372; vol. v. p. 446. 



