580 
A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS 
runners of Potentilla, to whose stems some identifying leaves 
still clung. 
The Wood Thrush builds the middle or last of May, and 
as it comes often the very first day of the month and con- 
tinues singing well into July, it gives us a goodly season of 
song. Wood Robin is one of its local names, but this is used, 
somewhat at random, for other Thrushes. 
Burroughs says: “ If we take the quality of melody as a 
test, the Wood Thrush, the Hermit Thrush, and the Veery 
Thrush stand at the head of our list of songsters/’ 
The food of this Thrush consists of injurious insects and 
wild fruits, so that both farmer and gardener should think well 
of it. Aside from this its exquisite song would secure it a 
welcome in every copse or garden, even if it helped itself to a 
few cultivated berries. 
THE WOOD THRUSH 
He has a coat of cinnamon brown, 
The brightest on his head and crown, 
A very low cut vest of white 
That shines like satin in the light, 
And on his breast a hundred spots, 
As if he wore a veil with dots ; 
With movement quick and full of grace, 
The highbred manner of his race ; 
A very prince of birds is he 
Whose form it is a joy to see. 
And music — was there ever heard 
A sweeter song from any bird? 
Now clarion-like, so loud and clear 
Now like a whisper low and near, 
And now, again, with rhythmic swells 
And tinkling harmony of bells, 
He seems to play accompaniment 
Upon some harp-like instrument 
— Garrett Newkirk in Bird-Lore 
Wilson’s Thrush; Veery: Turdus fuscescens. S. R. 
Length: 7-7.50 inches. 
Male and Female: No eye ring. Above evenly olive-brown, with a 
tawny cast. Throat buff, flecked on the sides with fine arrow- 
shaped brown spots. Breast and under parts white. Bill dark 
above, lower mandible light. Feet light. 
Song: Ringing, echo-like. Professor Ridgway indicates it thus: 
“Taweel ’ah — taweel ’ah, twil-ah, twil-ah ! ” 
Season: Early May to October. 
