OLIVE-BACKED TIIBUSH. 
7 
HABITS. 
While migrating, this Thrush is very generally found in swampy localities, where it is 
extremely shy, keeping in the densest thickets. Here it maintains perfect silence, except an 
occasional soft chirp of alarm. It also spends the greater part of its time upon the ground, 
scratching among the leaves in search of its insect food. It is extremely difficult to procure a 
specimen, as upon the approach of the intruder it instantly hides or flits rapidly through the 
bushes, pausing but an instant here and there to glance at its enemy. If driven into a thicket 
it will persistently remain concealed until approached quite nearly, and then rapidly move to 
another place but a few rods away. If too closely pursued it rises suddenly to the tops of the 
bushes, and darting through the woods, with nearly the speed of light, disappears in the distance. 
This species passes through our midst in great numbers; yet, on account of its retiring habits, 
only the experienced collector will consider it at all common. Those who have never seen it on 
its breeding grounds, and who can judge of its habits only during the migrations, will consider 
it a silent and mysterious bird. 
But let such an one visit its Northern home, when the mild breezes of June sigh quietly 
through those vast primeval forests that everywhere cover the land. Let him wander beneath 
the dark shadows of the huge hemlocks and spruces, .the large limbs of which form immense 
arches high overhead. The air is filled with the balmy odor of their leaves, mingled with the 
spicy fragrance of the snowy flowered moosewood. The ground is covered with a soft carpet 
of green moss, and all the plants that grow in these shady retreats are now in bloom, while the 
gentle murmur of some mountain stream is heard, harmonizing pleasantly with the warbling of 
the birds. Preeminent among these the echoing song of the Olive-backed Thrush rings through 
the wooded valleys, enchanting the ear with its scarcely surpassed melody. The song differs 
entirely from that of the Hermit Thrush, being more continuous but not quite as loud. It 
is, however, remarkably fine, and one can hardly believe that the silent bird he has been 
accustomed to see farther south is capable of producing such delightful notes. Not only in the 
newly acquired vocal powers does the bird in summer differ from the same species in spring and 
autumn, but its habits are different. It does not now skulk in the bushes, but perches upon 
the branches of its favorite evergreen trees, many feet from the ground, and at this elevation 
sings its song. It has, however, the same low soft chirp of alarm, but it uses it oftener, boldly 
standing in plain sight while it thus remonstrates with the invader, as if conscious of a prior 
right to the soil. While in this position it usually moves its tail slowly, and tips its head 
slightly while it gazes, with its full round eye, upon the movements of the invader. Sometimes, 
however, it will sit without noise or motion, after the manner of the Robin, until one has passed 
quite under it. At such times it is difficult to detect the bird, so closely do its colors blend with 
those of the trunks and branches of the trees. These Trushes do not spend their entire time on 
the trees, but are occasionally seen on the ground. 
Just before the season of incubation, the male may be seen chasing the female playfully 
through the branches or among the bushes, flitting from place to place so swiftly that the eye 
can with difficulty follow their movements. About the last week in May they begin to build. 
The locality selected is generally a thick clump of low fir trees. The nest is almost always 
placed hr,the top of one of these trees, at a height of from five to six feet above the ground. 
I have seen several uncompleted, but never saw the bird building or near them. Indeed 
it is rather careless about guarding its nest, for although it may contain eggs, it is difficult to 
find the bird near. Upon the approach of man she instantly leaves and conceals herself. Even 
when the eggs are removed, neither of the birds appears or makes the least remonstrance. I 
doubt if they would make an effort to defend even their young from the depredations of man. 
As I have found several nests containing broken shells of fresh eggs, I also conclude that Jays 
