242 
THE BROWN THRASHER. 
is five. Tlie nest is always placed near the ground in some sheltered situation, a tuft of rank 
grass, a thick bunch of heather, or the base of a luxuriant bush, being among the most common 
localities. After the breeding season, the Eing Ouzels assemble towards the south, collecting 
together in flocks preparatory to their departure. During this intermediate period they visit 
the gardens and orchards, and often commit sad havoc among the fruit. 
The general color of the adult male bird is very dark blackish-brown, slightly varied by 
the blackish -gray edges of the feathers, and the broad gray outer webs of the wing-feathers. 
Across the upper part of the chest runs a broad, crescent-shaped mark of the purest white, the 
points being directed upwards. In the young male this collar is not so broad, and of a 
decidedly reddish hue, and the whole of the plumage is of a lighter brown. Sometimes the 
white collar is entirely absent, and in some cases white and pied varieties have been known. 
The total length of the adult bird is about eleven inches. 
Another well-known example of the Thrushes is found in the common Eedwing of 
England. 
It is one of the finest songsters even among its own melodious group, rivalling the night- 
ingale in the full sweet tones of its flexible voice. Sometimes the bird sings alone, seated on 
a favorite perch, but it oftener prefers lifting up its voice in concert with its companions, and 
fills the air with its harmonious sounds. It has, however, several kinds of voice, sometimes 
pouring forth its full rich strains, and at other times singing quietly .to itself in an under tone 
that can only be heard at a very short distance. This, however, is only the peculiar sound 
which is termed ‘ ‘ recording by bird-fanciers, and must not be mistaken for the real song, 
which, according to Mr. Hewitson, who had every opportunity of hearing this bird, is a loud, 
wild, and delicious melody. The Eedwing partakes so far of the character of the nightingale 
as to sing after sunset. 
The general color of the Eedwing is a warm, rich cinnamon-brown upon the upper parts 
of the body, the wings are rather darker, except the external webs of the quill-feathers, which 
have a grayish tinge, and over the eyes runs a well-defined streak of very pale ashen-brown. 
The chin, throat, and whole under surface of the body are grayish-white, deepening into a 
brownish tinge on the sides of the neck, the breast, and the flanks, and profusely studded 
with longitudinal dashes of the same brown as that of the back. When the wings are closed, 
the bird very much resembles the common Thrush, but when it spreads its wings for flight, it 
discloses a large patch of orange-red feathers upon the sides of the body, from which it has 
derived its name of Eedwing. In total length the Eedwing nearly reaches nine inches. It is 
occasionally a straggler in North America, and is therefore in the list of our birds. 
The Mountain Mocking-Bird ( Oreoscoptes montanus ), or Sage Thrasher, is an inhab- 
itant of the Eocky Mountains ; ranging southward towards Mexico, and northward to Cali- 
fornia. 
The California Thrush (Harporiiynchus redivivus) is one of the later discoveries, since 
Audubon’ s time. Several other species, more or less like it, have also been found since the 
occupation of the great western plains. 
The Curved-bill, Leconte’s, and Palmer’s Thrush, all have similar plumage, and are 
not far from the same size as the California Thrush. 
The Brown Thrasher ( Harporliynchus rufus ) is an old favorite of the eastern portion 
of the country. Its song is pleasant, much like those native to the Mocking-Bird. It is 
variously called Fox-colored Thrasher, Ferruginous Thrush, and is named in the south, French 
Mocking-bird. The latter name was given it during the earliest days of the settlement of the 
country, when everything French was considered inferior, its notes being regarded as less 
musical than its superior. 
This Thrush is easily raised in confinement, and proves an excellent pet. Its long body 
and tail make it readily recognizable. 
