GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH. 
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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 suddenly wheels off and 
disappears. This kind of deception is practised 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 se- 
curing 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 per- 
forms the part of a faithful and affectionate nurse to the found- 
ling. 
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 colour; 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 
similar 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. 
