FERRUGINOUS THRUSH. 235 



pilfers, T am persuaded he destroys five hundred insects ; 

 particularly a large dirty-coloured grub, with a black head, 

 which is more pernicious to the corn and other grain and 

 vegetables than nine-tenths of the whole feathered race. He 

 is an active, vigorous bird, ilies generally low, from one 

 thicket to another, with his long broad tail spread like a fan ; 

 is often seen about brier and bramble bushes, along fences ; 

 and has a single note or chuck when you approach his nest. 

 In Pennsylvania, they are numerous, but never fly in flocks. 

 About the middle of September, or as soon as they have well 

 recovered from moulting, in which they suffer severely, they 

 disappear for the season. In passing through the southern 

 parts of Virginia, and south as far as Georgia, in the depth 

 of winter, I found them lingering in sheltered situations, 

 particularly on the borders of swamps and rivers. On the 

 1st of March, they were in full song round the commons at 

 Savannah, as if straining to outstrip the mocking bird, that 

 prince of feathered musicians. 



The thrasher is a welcome visitant in spring to every lover 

 of rural scenery and rural song. In the months of April and 

 May, when our woods, hedgerows, orchards, and cherry trees, 

 are one profusion of blossoms, when every object around con- 

 veys the sweet sensations of joy, and Heaven's abundance is i 

 as it were, showering around us, the grateful heart beats in 

 unison with the varying elevated strains of this excellent bird ; 

 we listen to its notes with a kind of devotional ecstasy, as 

 a morning hynm to the great and most adorable Creator of 

 all. The human being who, amidst such scenes, and in such 

 seasons of rural serenity and delight, can pass them with cold 

 indifference, and even contempt, I sincerely pity ; for abject 

 must that heart be, and callous those feelings, and depraved 

 that taste, which neither the charms of nature, nor the 

 melody of innocence, nor the voice of gratitude or devotion, 

 can reach. 



This bird inhabits North America, from Canada to the 

 point of Florida. They are easily reared, and become very 



