630 Notes on the Thrushes of Washington Territory. [October, 
The varied thrush will bear a more extended notice. Like his 
near relative, the robin, he is migratory, having a more northerly 
range. In numbers they nearly equal the robin. By the first of 
May they have all left for their northern homes to engage, as we 
are told, in the great work of reproduction—the shores of Alaska 
and the valley of the Yukon river furnishing them all that is 
necessary. About the first of October, when the first frosts have 
crimsoned the leaves of the vine maple, and the detached leaves 
of the large maple are slowly settling with their zig-zag motion 
to the earth, the ground already covered by the yellow forms, then 
may be heard the exquisitely sweet and musical notes of the 
varied thrush—not ina variety and succession of notes, but in 
one prolonged strain of a few seconds in a minor key; this is 
repeated at short intervals. Frequently there are several birds in 
company, varying in the pitch, thus giving a concert of voices 
succeeding each other, so tender, so plaintive, that the rude 
woodsman pauses to listen to the charming melody and asks, 
what bird is that ? 
The song of this bird, spoken of by Drs. Cooper and Suckley, 
I have never heard. This may be accounted for by the fact that 
I have never known them to remain here during the summer, 
which is their breeding time, and at other times than this they 
seldom utter these notes or I should have have observed it. They 
spend most of their time on the ground scratching for insects, 
and when flushed alight on the lower limbs, uttering a sharp 
“ chuck!” “ chuck!” then ascending higher and higher until out 
of danger. They are more vigilant than the robin and more dis- 
posed to scratch and turn over leaves after the manner of the 
“ chewink.” 
Last winter I caught one alive and placed it in a cage; ina 
few hours it became reconciled to me, and took food from my 
hands. It would cram itself with rotten apples and bits of fresh 
meat until it could hold no more, and then look at me as much 
as to say, “I am sorry I can accept your generosity no more. 
In the course of a few days I secured another, which I placed in 
the cage with the first. 
I soon discovered that the first one, so far from being pleased 
with his company, was quite the reverse, for the second being the 
older and stronger bird, pounced upon him in the most deter- 
- mined manner to kill him. I separated them, but no sooner was 
