WILSON’S THRUSH. 
11 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of seventeen specimens.— Length, 7-01; stretch, 13-65; wing, 3-94; tail, 2-92; bill, -56 
tarsus, 1-10. Longest specimen, 7-75; greatest stretch of wings, 14-50; greatest length of wing, 4-20; of tail, 3-55 
of bill, -60; of tarsus, 1-20. Shortest specimen, 7-00; smallest stretch of wings, 11-25; smallest length of wing, 3-70 
of tail, 2-60; of bill, -55; of tarsus, 1-08. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, composed of grape-vine bark, leaves and weeds, lined with fine grasses, leaves and fibrous roots. It is 
deeply hollowed, but well proportioned to the size of the bird. Dimensions.—External diameter, 5 inches; internal, 
2-50 inches. External depth, 3 inches; internal, 2 inches. 
Eggs, rather pointed in form, generally dark green in color. Dimensions, from -90 x -60 to -95 x -70. 
HABITS. 
While wandering through the thickly wooded valleys of Massachusetts, after the first of May, 
the ears of the pedestrian will lie saluted with a series of continuous, fife-like notes, coming in 
two or three waves, and ending in a prolonged sound. This melody will attract his attention, 
if he is at all inclined to notice such things, for it is very singular, and he will naturally 
wish to see the author of it. Therefore, he makes his way cautiously towards the spot where 
the songster seems to be, but as he draws near the song ceases to be given, and in its place 
he hears a suppressed whistle. This note is uttered at irregular intervals, sometimes loud, 
sometimes soft, and ever changing in the direction from which it comes. If the observer is wary, 
he will perhaps catch a glimpse of a brown-backed bird flitting quickly through the thick bushes. 
But unless he is acquainted with the habits of Wilson’s Thrush, for this is the species which he 
is endeavoring to discover, this is all that he will see; for if it is too closely pursued, it will 
cease giving its alarm-note, and, rising suddenly to the tops of the trees, will dart over them, 
alighting a long distance from the disturber of its peace. 
If surprised in the open woods, which it sometimes visits, it usually behaves in an entirely 
different manner. When any one comes suddenly upon it, as it sits upon the branch of a 
tree, it will remain perfectly quiet and keep silent, as if conscious that its sober colors are a 
natural protection. In this habit it resembles the Robin and the other small Thrushes, and one 
may pass quite near it without its flying. But if the intruder pauses for a time to observe 
it quietly, the bird will appear puzzled, and, after keeping its statue-like position for a few 
moments, will walk slowly along the limb on which it is perched, uttering a low whistle, but 
always attentively examining the object of its dread. Then, if a single step is made towards 
it, the Thrush is off like a flash, as if just aware that it is discovered. Although it usually flies 
very rapidly, it slackens its speed when crossing an open field and moves with a steady flight. 
Before the season of incubation, the male is constant in his attentions to the female. In this 
he resembles the Hermit; like that species he may be seen pursuing her through the woods, and 
while she is sitting he is never far away. They generally build their nests during the last week 
in May; nearly always in the thick woods. It is usually placed upon the ground by the side of 
a prostrate tree or log, or else at the foot of a clump of bushes. The situation chosen is almost 
always upon a sloping hillside, near a swamp, where the trees grow thick and the shade is 
dense. But a short time since, however (June 21), I was surprised by seeing a nest built on 
an apple tree in the orchard of the well known apiarist, Mr. H. Alley, at Wenham. The nest 
was placed on the tops of some twigs and limbs after the manner of the Cuckoos, and at a 
height of ten feet from the ground. It was constructed of much the same material as usual, 
and contained four eggs in an advanced stage of incubation. This is the first, out of many 
instances, where I have found the nest of this bird in any other situation than on the ground. 
As it feeds principally upon insects, it may be possible that the large number of bees kept in the 
