330 
PASSERIFORMES 
SUBSPECIES. There are two varieties of this species; Bicknell’s Thrush (la Grive 
de Bicknell) Hylodchla minima minima in the extreme east, breeding at higher elevations 
in New England and in the Maritime Provinces; Common Grey-cheeked Thrush (la Grive 
commune it joues grises) Hylodchla minima alidae, breeding at the northern tree limit 
across the continent. 
This thrush is likely to be confused with the Olive-backed. It is rather 
northern in its breeding and usually quite rare through most of its migrating 
range in southern Canada. 
756. Wilson’s Thrush, veery. cathedral-bird, la grive de wilson. Hy- 
lodchla fuscescens. L, 7-52, Plate LVIII A. Even, brown-tawny above; white below, 
with fine, blended arrowhead-spots running down from corners of mouth and spreading 
across chest. 
Distinctions . The lightest tawny of our thrushes, with only the slightest suggestion 
of olive in the back. The faintness of the breast spotting will separate it from any com- 
parable species. 
Field Marks. The even, light coloration of the back and the light, suffused breast 
spots. The only thrush whose song begins on a high note and ends on low ones. 
Nestmg. On or near the ground, in nest of strips of bark, rootlets, and leaves, wrapped 
with leaves and lined with rootlets. 
Distribution. Southern Canada and northern United States. In Canada, across the 
Dominion, including the southern halves of the Prairie Provinces, and southern British 
Columbia exclusive of the coast. 
SUBSPECIES. Two subspecies are recognized in Canada. The eastern form, the 
Veery (la Grive de Wilson) Hylodchla fuscescens fuscescens, extends west probably to near 
the Manitoba border and perhaps across it. From there westward the Willow Thrush 
(la Grive des saules) Hylodchla fuscescens salidcola is the prevailing bird. It is slightly 
more olive on the back and the breast streaks average darker. The distinctions, however, 
are very slight and of little interest to the general observer. 
Wilson’s Thrush is the only thrush generally distributed in breeding 
season throughout well-settled parts of the country. In southern Canada 
wherever there is enough bush land to attract thrushes this species is pre- 
sent. Its song is a descending series of short, connected trills, “ Rree-a - 
ree-a-i'ee” ; some eight or ten syllables falling about an octave and with a 
tone like the jingling of a golden chain. Heard at sunset, with the myste- 
rious darkening woods seen against the glorious skies, it has a particularly 
beautiful and peaceful appeal. It may not have the absolute perfection 
of the song of the Hermit Thrush or even of the Olive-backed and Grev- 
cheeked, but it is wonderfully delightful. 
766. Red-breasted Bluebird, eastern bluebird. l’oiseau-bleu a poitrine 
rouge. Sialia sialis. L, 7-01. Plate LVIII B. Above, from crown to tail including 
face, deep sky-blue, throat, breast, and flanks chestnut-red. Females: similar but duller; 
juveniles with back largely dark brown with many white flecks, throat spotted with rich 
brown and white, and the blue only showing strongly on wings and tail. 
Distinctions. A solidly blue-backed bird woth red throat, breast, and flanks. The 
Western Bluebird is similar but is a more purplish blue, and the throat is blue as well as 
the crown. The Mountain Bluebird is a much paler blue, but is also blue on the breast. 
Adult Bluebirds of this species are, therefore, easily recognized. Females with more or 
less red on breast are to be confused only with the Western female, the latter, however, 
has a distinctly grey throat. The breast of the female Mountain Bluebird is dull, light 
grey-ochre without any hint of red. Juveniles lately from the nest are easily known from 
those of the Mountain Bluebird by the darker tone of the blue on wings and tail, it being 
dark sky-blue instead of pale blue. Probably sometimes with difficulty separated from 
the young Western Bluebird, as the colouring of the blue at this age is practically the same 
in both species. The latter, however, has a suggestion of grey on throat. In practice, 
however, it is not likely that the Eastern species will ever be confused with the Western 
as their ranges are not known to overlap. 
