60 
BIRDS 
Wood-Thrush. More abundant than all 
other birds, except the Robin and Cat- 
Bird, he greets you from every rock and 
shrub. Shy and reserved when he first 
makes his appearance in May, before the 
end of June he is tame and familiar, and 
sings on the tree over your head, or on 
the rock a few paces in advance. A pair 
even built their nest and reared their 
brood within ten or twelve feet of the 
piazza of a large summer-house in the 
vicinity. But when the guests commenced 
to arrive and the piazza to be thronged 
with gay crowds, 1 noticed something like 
dread and foreboding in the manner of 
the motherbird; and from her still, quiet 
ways, and habit of sitting long and si¬ 
lently within a few feet of the precious 
charge, it seemed as if the dear creature 
had resolved, if possible, to avoid all ob¬ 
servation. 
The Hermit-Thrush, the Wood-Thrush, 
and the Veery (Turdus Wilsonii ) are our 
peers of song. The Mocking-Bird un¬ 
doubtedly possesses the greatest range of 
mere talent, the most varied executive 
ability, and never fails to surprise and de- 
