284 
FERRUGINOUS THRUSH. 
Virginia, and the Carolinas. * It is the largest of all our 
Thrushes, and is a well known and very distinguished songster, j 
About the middle, or 20th of April, or generally about the 
time the cherry trees begin to blossom, he arrives in Penn- 
sylvania ; and, from the tops of our hedgerows, sassafras, apple 
or cherry trees, he salutes the opening morning with his 
charming song, which is loud, emphatical, and full of variety. 
At that serene hour, you may plainly distinguish his voice 
fully half a mile off. These notes are not imitative, as his 
name would import, and as some people believe, but seem 
solely his own ; and have considerable resemblance to the 
notes of the Song Thrush ( Turdus musicus) of Britain. Early 
in May he builds his nest, choosing a thorn bush, low cedar, 
thicket of briers, dogwood sapling, or cluster of vines, for its j. 
situation, generally within a few feet of the ground. Out- 
wardly, it is constructed of small sticks ; then layers of dry 
leaves, and, lastly, lined with fine fibrous roots ; but without 
and it is only during the spring and breeding season that they mount aloft, to 
serenade their mates. The cries or notes are generally loud ; some possess 
considerable melody, which however is only exercised as above mentioned ; j 
but many of the aberrant species possess only harsh and grating notes, inces- 
santly kept up ; in which respect they resemble the more typical African 
form, and many of the aquatic Warblers. 
In the account given by our author of the manners of O. rufus, we perceive a 
very close resemblance to our common Blackbird. The Blackbird is seldom seen 
on lofty trees, except during the season of incubation, or occasionally in search 
of a roosting place ; its true habitat is brushwood or shrubbery, and, unless 
at one season, its only note is that of alarm, shrill and rapid, or a kind of chuck. 
The manner of flight, when raised from cover, along a hedge, or among bushes, 
with the tail expanded, is also similar ; we have thus two types of very nearly 
allied genera, varying decidedly in form, but agreeing almost entirely in habit. 
The gregarious Thrushes, again, possess much more activity, enjoy lofty forests, ' 
or the open country, and protect themselves by vigilance, not by stealth and i 
concealment. 
This species was met by Dr Richardson at Carlton House. It extends from 
Pennsylvania to the Saskachewan ; but Dr Richardson thinks it probable that it j 
does not extend its range beyond the 54th parallel of latitude. It quits the 
Fur Countries, with the other migratory birds, early in September Ed. 
* See p. 173, for the supposed origin of this name. 
