128 



BIRDS OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA PART 4 



captured near Spring-field, also in Nova Scotia, July 4, 1964. Four 

 others given bands near Almirante were recaptured subsequently at 

 that banding locality as follows: one November 6, 1963, was retaken 

 there October 13, 1967; one on October 13, 1964, was retaken October 

 4, 1967; one April 8, 1965, was recaptured April 13, 1967; and one on 

 January 16, 1964, was recaptured July 11, 1967. The returns from 

 Nova Scotia mark the far northeastern border of the breeding range of 

 the species, while Panama and Colombia are the southern limit of the 

 wintering range. 



In another netting study, Rogers and Odum (Wilson Bui., 1966, p. 

 418) found that in Panama newly-arrived southbound migrant catbirds 

 that had just flown across the Gulf of Mexico weighed 26.5-37.4 

 (31.2) g and had exhausted their fat reserves; some had also experi- 

 enced weight loss in the breast muscles, which seemed reduced so that 

 the keels of the sternums protruded noticeably. 



Reports of netting around Almirante indicate that many birds winter 

 in the area and a number return the following or subsequent seasons. 

 The migration generally begins in early October and the peak is reached 

 the fourth week of that month, with a few birds remaining into May 

 (Galindo and Mendez, Bird-Banding, 1965, pp. 233-234; Loftin, Carib. 

 Journ. Sci., 1963, p. 66; Loftin and Olson, Carib. Journ. Sci., 1964, p. 

 194). 



Family TURDIDAE: Thrushes, Zorzales 



The thrushes are a worldwide family of approximately 300 species 

 that include some of the most familiar birds of temperate regions, 

 known for their confiding presence around human habitation and for 

 their fine vocal abilities. Fourteen species are found in Panama, in- 

 cluding 4 migrants from the north. The native species fall into two 

 groups, robins of the genus Turdus, and nightingale-thrushes, genus 

 Catharus. The robins have habits similar to the North American Tur- 

 dus migratorius, but those inhabiting dense forest are sometimes hard 

 to see — although they will often approach a squeaking sound. The 

 Clay-colored Robin is widespread in the lowlands and at home in yards 

 and gardens; the other species of Turdus are found from the foothills 

 to above timberline. Robins usually place their cup-shaped nest in a 

 tree or bush. The Clay-colored Robin, like its northern relative, has so 

 accustomed itself to human habitation that it sometimes builds its nest 

 in the angle of a roof. 



