328 
PASSERIFORMES 
their gaunt sides and evident misery, rustling for a living, nor should these 
cats in their necessity be allowed to devastate bird coverts. The elimin- 
ation of these neglected cats would merit a vote of thanks from the Robin 
population and should win the approval of real cat-lovers. 
Economic Status. Though the Robin is an efficient aid to the agri- 
culturist, its fondness for fruit occasionally gets it into trouble with the 
raiser of small fruit. Forty-two per cent of its food is animal, mostly insects, 
the remainder is composed largely of berries and other soft, small fruits, 
of which little more than 4 per cent is cultivated fruit. 
763. Varied Thrush. Oregon robin, wood robin, painted robin, le merle 
varies, Ixoreus naevius. L, 10. Plate LVI A. About the size of a robin and very robin- 
like in general appearance, but strikingly unlike in details of colour. Like a robin with 
sharp, black breast-bar, reddish eyebrow-line, wing-bars, and spots on flight feathers. 
Distinctions. A breast slightly pale, tawny-red, black breast bar (quite dull in female), 
distinct light eyebrow streak, and bars and spots on wing. Not to be mistaken for any 
other species. 
Field Marks. A robin variegated as above. 
Nesting. In bushes and small trees, nest of moss, sticks, twigs, and rotten wood. 
Distribution. Western North America. In Canada, British Columbia, and the 
Y ukon, east to the Mackenzie, and adjacent parts of Alberta. Occasional east to Manitoba. 
SUBSPECIES. The Varied Thrush of British Columbia and northward toward 
Alaska is the Pacific Varied Thrush (le Merle vari6 du Pacifique) Ixoreus naevius naevius. 
That of Mackenzie Valley has been described as the Northern Varied Thrush (le Merle 
vari4 du Nord) Ixoreus naevius meruloides, distinguished by some slight colour differences. 
755. Wood Thrush, la grive des bois. song thrush. Hylodchla rnuslelina. 
L, 8-29. Plate LVI B. 
Distinctions. Easily recognized as a thrush, though having somewhat the general 
colour of the Brown Thrasher; smaller size, short tail, straight bill, and dark instead of 
light eye make good separation marks. From the other members of the genus it can be 
told by its larger size, the absolute whiteness of the breast, the sharper definition of the 
round spots, and the yellowish rather than reddish or olive tinge of the back, brightest 
on head. 
Field Marks. The sharp spots on the pure white breast and the tawniness of the 
back make the best field marks. 
Nesting. In saplings about 8 feet above the ground, in nest of leaves, rootlets, fine 
twigs, and weed stalks firmly interwoven and lined with mud and fine rootlets. 
Distribution. Eastern North America; north regularly to southern Ontario; occa- 
sional or local in adjoining regions. 
The Wood Thrush is a woodland bird of rather southern distribution ; 
common in Canada only in the more southern portions. 
759. Hermit Thrush, la grive solitaire. Hylodchla guttata. L, 7 17. Plate 
LVII A. Even tawny brown all above, except tail that is distinctly dull red or rusty; 
below, white, breast heavily spotted with brown. 
Distinctions and Field Marks. Has the heavily spotted breast of the Grey-cheeked 
and Olive-backed, and may easily be told from any other thrush by its tail being decidedly 
redder than the back. 
Field Marks. A thrush with heavily spotted breast and its tail redder than the back . 
Nesting. On the ground in nest of moss, coarse grass, and leaves, lined with rootlets 
and pine needles. 
Distribution. Northern North America and mountains of western Lnited States 
In Canada, across the Dominion, north to tree limits. 
SUBSPECIES. A number of subspecies of Hermit Thrushes are recognized, three 
of these occurring regularly in Canada. The Eastern Hermit Thrush (la Grive solitaire 
de l’Est) Hylodchla guttata faxoni occurs west to the mountains, crossing them in the 
north into northern British Columbia and the Yukon. The Sierra Hermit Thrush (la 
