The Habits of the Migratory Thrush. 135 



then attains, but in repeating them gradually falls back on 

 less melodious sounds, terminating in harsh trills, as if he 

 were doing his very best to discourse sweet music, but in 

 doing so was invariably breaking down. Moreover, like 

 his compeers, he has a soft, low-toned love song when 

 in company with his mate, and sings at night, especially 

 during the full moon — rather a troublesome trait with the 

 domesticated individual. When pairing, or during the 

 time the female is sitting, he seeks the topmost branches 

 of some maple or pine close by, where he pours forth his 

 blackbird-like chant with surprising earnestness and vigour, 

 more perhaps for the purpose of competing with a rival 

 than with any intention of amusing his partner. The nest 

 is built after the fashion of the blackbird's, and placed in a 

 tree generally close to houses ; however, when that is not 

 feasible he betakes himself to forests and plantations. 



Whether the same birds repair to their haunts of the pre- 

 vious year or not may be doubted ; but on the authority of 

 Mr. Wilmot, Governor of New Brunswick, I was informed 

 that a lame robin built its nest for five successive years 

 in his orchard ; in this instance, however, it is just probable 

 that this maimed individual never left the district. I have, 

 moreover, been frequently told by residents of robins repair- 

 ing old nests which they continued to occupy year after 

 year. The migratory thrush is easily reared, and makes a 

 very attractive cage-bird. The backwoodsmen, however, 

 rather prefer to enjoy its presence around the settlement, 

 where it hops about with raised hood, jerking its tail and 

 emitting the thrush-like notes that recall to remembrance 

 the woodlands of the old country. To the newly-arrived 

 emigrant, the robin takes the place of the well-known denizen 

 of home, and thus, from Newfoundland to Mexico, it is 

 known by no other name. Moreover, ever faithful to its times 

 of incoming and departure, it makes forced marches, often 

 arriving before the last snow has fallen, and as frequently 



