GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH. 
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This is also a migratory species, arriving in Pennsylvania 
late in April, and leaving us again late in September. It is 
altogether an inhabitant of the woods, runs along the ground 
like a lark, and even along the horizontal branches, frequently 
moving its tail in the manner of the Wagtails. It has no song ; 
but a shrill energetic twitter, formed by the rapid reiteration 
of two notes, peche , peche , peche , for a quarter of a minute at 
a time. It builds a snug, somewhat singular nest, on the 
ground, in the woods, generally on a declivity facing the 
south. This is formed of leaves and dry grass, and lined with 
hair. Though sunk below the surface, it is arched over, and 
only a small hole left for entrance : the eggs are four, some- 
times five, white, irregularly spotted with reddish brown, 
chiefly near the great end. When alarmed, it escapes from 
the nest with great silence and rapidity, running along the 
ground like a mouse, as if afraid to tread too heavily on the 
leaves ; if you stop to examine its nest, it also stops, droops 
its wings, flutters, and tumbles along, as if hardly able to 
crawl, looking back now and then to see whether you are 
taking notice of it. If you slowly follow, it leads you fifty 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 securing 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 
performs the part of a faithful and affectionate nurse to the 
foundling. 
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 
