190 
HERMIT THRUSH. 
Wood Thrush, ( Turdus melodus.) It is, however, consider- 
ably less, very differently marked, and altogether destitute 
of the clear voice and musical powers of that charming minstrel. 
It also differs, in remaining in the southern states during the 
whole year; whereas the Wood Thrush does not winter even 
in Georgia ; nor arrives within the southern boundary of that 
state until some time in April. 
The Hermit Thrush is rarely seen in Pennsylvania, unless 
for a few weeks in spring, and late in the fall, long after the 
Wood Thrush has left us, and when scarcely a summer bird 
remains in the woods. In both seasons it is mute, having 
only, in spring, an occasional squeak, like that of a young stray 
chicken. Along the Atlantic coast, in New Jersey, they 
remain longer and later, as I have observed them there late in 
November. In the cane swamps of the Chactaw nation, they 
were frequent in the month of May, on the l*2th of which I 
examined one of their nests on a horizontal branch, imme- 
diately over the path. The female was sitting, and left it with 
great reluctance, so that I had nearly laid my hand on her 
before she flew. The nest was fixed on the upper part of the 
body of the branch, and constructed with great neatness ; but 
without mud or plaster, contrary to the custom of the Wood 
Thrush. The outside was composed of a considerable quantity 
of coarse rooty grass, intermixed with horse hair, and lined 
with a fine, green coloured, thread-like grass, perfectly dry, 
laid circularly, with particular neatness. The eggs were four, 
of a pale greenish blue, marked with specks and blotches of 
olive, particularly at the great end. I also observed this bird 
on the banks of the Cumberland river, in April. Its food 
consists chiefly of berries, of which these low swamps furnish 
a perpetual abundance, such as those of the holly, myrtle, gall 
bush, (a species of vaccinium,) yapon shrub, and many others. 
A superficial observer would instantly pronounce this to be 
only a variety of the Wood Thrush; but, taking into consi- 
deration its difference of size, colour, manners, want of song, 
secluded habits, differently formed nest, and spotted eggs, all 
