4 
Fl'Rrill':R OliSKinATIOXS ox MIXXKSOTA I’.IRDS: 
its larger size, will at once distinguish it from the following- 
species — the Wilson ddirush or \ eery, wdth wdiich it vies in the 
matter of song. In the latter species, the white breast is more or 
less tinged with cream and dotted with small, somewhat indistinct 
brownish, wedge-sha])ed s])ots. Its ii])])er ]>arts are brownish hut 
not as bright as in the \\ Ood ddirush. 
The first-named bird is Sj4 inches long; the latter (Veery) a little 
over 7 inches. Both la}' greenish-blue eggs in a coarse nest mod- 
elled somewhat after the nest of the robin, but the nest of the 
X’eery is on or close to the ground. 44ie beautiful song of both of 
these birds, coming from the dense woods, if once heard, is never 
forgotten and the}' are both im])ortant insect-eaters; in fact, the 
entire thrush family, tho occasional members may be attracted t(> 
Derides and fruit, notably in the case of the robin, must be credited 
with being lienefactors of the farmer and fruit raiser. Forbes, 
after a somewhat exhaustive examination of their food habits, 
states that bl % of the food of thrushes consists of insects. 
THE BROWN THRUSH OR BROWN THRASHER. 
ddie excellent illustration here given is sufiicient to enable us 
to recognize this very common bird of our thickets and fields. 
Rufus brown above, with black spots on a white ground lielow, its 
