Summer Bdsi/.^dt. Mauf field ^ V 



82. Hylocichla alicise bicknelli. Bicknell's Thrush. — This is the 

 commonest and most characteristic species at the summit of the moun- 

 tain. It is reallj abundant in the extensive tracts of stunted firs and 

 spruces surrounding the northern peak (' The Nose ') and its range extends 

 down into the upper edge of the tall timber — to about 3000 feet altitude 

 — where it overlaps the range of the Olive-back. 



During the seven trips that I made to the summit, I was constantly on 

 the alert for a sight of the birds, and although I frequently heard them 

 all about me, so shy were they that I saw them probably less than a 

 dozen times. The glimpses I had of them were either at long range, or 

 cut short by the sudden departure of the bird into the dense cover of the 

 evergreens, so that close study of their habits was impossible. 



This was in marked contrast to the experience of Mr. Bradford Torrey, 

 who visited the mountain in 1S85. He says they were " never out of hear- 

 ing.and seldom long out of sight, even from the door step."i His visit, 

 however, was at the time the young were leaving the nest, while I was 

 there during the period of incubation, which may account for the differ- 

 ence in their familiarity. His surmise, based on the testimony of a 

 friend, that the birds had left the mountain the following year would 

 seem to be disproved by my experience. It is very improbable that a 

 species so well established would entirely desert a favorable locality for 

 no apparent cause ; it seems more likely that his friend for some reason 

 had overlooked them. 



They sing at any time of day, though most frequently toward evening. 

 The song is quite unlike any of the other thrush songs, resembling the 

 Veery's somewhat in form, though not in quality of tone, which is like 

 that of a fine, high-pitched reed. It is not so loud, or so clear as either 

 the Olive-back's or the Veery's, and unlike the former, does not change 

 its pitch perceptibly. The syllables ■wee-d-we'e-ci-zvee-c/n-cM--wee, whistled 

 through the closed teeth, will give a faint conception of its character. 

 The opening notes, wee-a, repeated two or three times, are smooth and 

 iiowing, and are followed by two staccato notes ; the closing note 

 resembles the opening ones, and is without special emphasis. The 

 last three notes taken together form the characteristic portion of the 

 song, and are frequently given by themselves without the prelude. 



I am aware that the above description of the song differs in some respects 

 from that given by Mr. Brewster, but it is not at all remarkable that the 

 birds of another colony should sing a somewhat' different song. The call 

 note, which is frequently uttered, sometimes from a lofty perch, though 

 usually in the thicket, is a rather harsh cheep. I did not hear the Veery 

 note, spoken of by Mr. Brewster. 



iThe Foot-Path Way, p. 95, 1896. ^ 



by Arthur H.Howell. Auk, XVUI, Oct., 1901, p.3<i&^3'^6. 



