346 
INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. 
of withered beech or oak leaves, above these a layer of 
coarse old grass and leaf-stalks is laid, tempered with a 
mixture of mud and decayed wood smoothly plastered, so as 
to form a crust like the nest of the Robin. The whole is 
then surmounted by a thin lining of the black, fibrous 
radicles of the fern. The eggs, 4 or 5, scarcely distin- 
guishable from those of the Robin, are of an uniform 
bright greenish blue and destitute of spots. Beetles, 
caterpillars, various insects, and, in autumn, berries 
constitute the principal food of the Wood Thrush. The 
young remain for weeks around gardens in quest of ber- 
ries, and are particularly fond of those of the various 
species of cornel and viburnum. At this season they 
occasionally leave their favorite glens, and in their devi- 
ous wanderings, previous to their departure, sometimes 
venture to visit the rural suburbs of the city. The 
young are easily reared, and sing nearly as well in the 
cage as in their native wilds. 
The Wood Thrush measures about 8 inches in length, and 13 
in alar extent. Above, bright cinnamon-brown, brightening into 
rufous on the head, and inclining to olive on the rump and tail. 
Beneath, whitish, thickly marked with pencil-shaped dusky spots. 
The vent pure white. Orbits of the eye white. Bill dusky brown, 
slightly notched, the lower mandible flesh-colored towards the base. 
Legs and claws very pale flesh-color. Iris dark chocolate. 
LITTLE or HERMIT THRUSH. 
( Turdus minor , Gm. Pennant, ii. p. 20. No. 201. T. solitarins , 
Wilson, v. p. 95. pi. 43. fig. 2. Audubon, pi. 58. [excellent.] 
Phil. Museum, No. 3542.) 
Sp. Chahact. — Olive-brown, inclining to rufous on the tail ; be- 
neath brownish white, spotted with dusky brown on the breast 
and under the wings ; tail short and emarginate ; the bill short. 
