8 
TUBD US PALLASII. 
and Squirrels meet with very little opposition when they feel inclined to make a meal of freshly 
laid Thrushes’ eggs. The birds seem aware of their deficiencies in this respect, for the nest is 
usually placed in such a position that it is entirely concealed from view, especially from directly 
above and below, points from which it would be likely to be discovered by the pilfering Jays 
or squirrels. It is a singular fact that those birds which carefully conceal their nests, display 
cowardice when their eggs or young are molested. On the other hand, birds like the Jays, 
Crows, Hawks, Robins, etc., that build in conspicuous places, all make loud outcries whenever 
their breeding places are approached, and defend them bravely. It is also observable that many 
species that place their nests upon the ground, trusting to the protective color of their plumage 
and eggs, invariably endeavor to draw away their enemies’ attention by feigning lameness, as 
practised by the Ruffed Grouse, Bay-winged Bunting, the various species of Plover, etc. 
The young Olive-backs are fully fledged by the last of July, and by the 20th of September 
both young and old commence their southward flight. The majority leave before the middle of 
October, but I have met with stragglers who seemed loath to leave their summer homes, although 
the cold winds of November had begun to blow, and the autumn leaves were fast falling to the 
ground. The food of this species consists principally of insects, but an occasional dinner of ripe 
berries does not go amiss if it comes in their way. 
I give this Thrush as a bird of Florida upon the authority of Mr. George Boardman, who 
has taken two in the state in February : one at St. Augustine, and one at Green Cove Springs. 
TUEDUS PALLASII. 
Hermit Thrush. 
“ Turdus Pallasii Cabanis, Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1847, I, i, 205." Baird, Birds of North America, 1858, 212. 
Turdus nanus Aud., Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 201. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch. Norm, not robust. -Bill, not long but rather slender. Tongue, bifid, and fringed for about one-fourth 
its length. Breadth of sternum, not greatly exceeding the depth of the marginal indentations. 
Color. Adult. Above, dark reddish brown, which becomes bright rufous on the rump and tail; the latter 
sometimes has a decided purplish tinge. Beneath, white, with numerous triangular spots of brown on the throat 
and breast. These spots vai’y in shade, number, and size, being larger and darker on the middle of the breast, and 
lighter on the lower part of it. Those on the sides of the throat near the base of the bill show a tendency to cluster 
and form maxillary stripes. A ring around the eye, and the under tail coverts, pale buff. A spot in front of the eye 
white, intermingled with dark feathers. The feathers of the crown have also darker centres. Sides of head, neck, 
and flanks of the same color as the back, but some shades paler. Feathers of the ear coverts, olivaceous, with narrow 
central lines of pale yellow. There is a broad band of buff beneath the wings, commencing on the inner sides, and, 
spreading as it advances, reaches nearly to the outer quill feathers, extending over nearly three-fourths of the inner 
marginal length of the primaries. Iris and bill, dark brown, with the lower mandible of the latter yellow. Feet, pale 
brown. 
Young. Similar, but darker on the back, with a tinge of rufous over the chin, throat and breast. The two rows 
of coverts are also tipped with yellowish, forming bars across the wings. The bands on the under side of the wings 
are deeper in color. The outer sides of the wings are decidedly rufous, very nearly as dark as that of the upper 
portions of the tail. Peathers of the wings and tail, slightly tipped with yellowish white. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
This species maybe distinguished from T. Swainsonii by the foxy tail and buff under tail coverts. It differs from 
T. fuscescens in the darker and larger spots on the breast, besides which fuscescens is more uniform in color on the 
upper parts. I have never met with this species in the nesting plumage, but judge that it differs from the adult much 
as in the preceding species. The Hermit Thrush has a distribution somewhat similar to the Olive-backed, but is, if 
anything, more Southern during the breeding season. It winters in great numbers in Florida, and the other extreme 
southern states; some also pass into Cuba. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of twenty-eight specimens.— Length, 7-01; stretch, 11-40; wing, 3-G4; tail, 2-08; bill, 
•53; tarsus, 11-3. Longest specimen, 7-60; greatest extent of wings, 12-83; greatest length of wing, 11-00; of tail, 
3-17; of bill, - 75; of tarsus, 1-25. Length of smallest specimen, 6-60; smallest extent of wings, 10*77; smallest length 
of wing, 3-27; of tail, 2-40; of bill, '40; of tarsus, 1-00. 
