GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH. 89 



I0W5 it leads you fifty or sixty yards off, in a direct line from its 

 nest, seeming at every advance to be gaining fresh strength; and 

 when it thinks it has decoyed you to a sufficient distance, it sud- 

 denly wheels off and disappears. This kind of deception is prac- 

 tised by many other species of birds that build on the ground ; and 

 is sometimes so adroitly performed as actually to have the desired 

 effect of securing the safety of its nest and young. 



This is one of those birds frequently selected by the Cow-pen 

 Bunting to be the foster-parent of its young. Into the nest of this 

 bird the Cow-bird deposits its egg, and leaves the result to the 

 mercy and management of the Thrush, who generally performs 

 the part of a faithful and affectionate nurse to the foundling. 



The Golden-crowned Thrush is six inches long, and nine in 

 extent ; the whole upper parts, except the crown and hind head, are 

 a rich yellow olive ; the tips of the wings, and inner vanes of the 

 quills, are dusky brown ; from the nostrils a black strip passes to 

 the hind head on each side, between which lies a bed of brownish 

 orange ; the sides of the neck are whitish ; the whole lower parts 

 white, except the breast, which is handsomely marked with pointed 

 spots of black, or deep brown, as in the figure ; round the eye is a 

 narrow ring of yellowish white; legs pale flesh color; bill dusky 

 above, whitish below. The female has the orange on the crown 

 considerably paler. 



This bird might with propriety be ranged with the Wagtails, 

 its notes, manners, and habit of building on the ground being simi- 

 lar to these. It usually hatches twice in the season; feeds on small 

 bugs, and the larvae of insects, which it chiefly gathers from the 

 ground. It is very generally diffused over the United States ; and 

 winters in Jamaica, Hispaniola, and other islands of the West 

 Indies. 



VOL. II. z 



