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OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION: BULLETIN 250 
TRUE THRUSHES 
Of the true Thrushes, the Wood, Wilson’s, Gray-cheeked, Olive- 
backed and Hermit are found in the state. Their similar 
habits and brown-toned backs make these a confusing group to the 
beginner. The under parts of all are marked with spots of varying 
sizes and shapes, the latter varying from round to wedge-shaped. 
These markings aid materially in differentiating the species. 
WOOD THRUSH, Hylocichla mustelina (Gmel.) 
The Wood Thrush is a common summer resident, and the 
sweetest singer of our resident birds. The clear, liquid notes heard 
in the quiet of the sunset hour which marks the close of a summer’s 
day are like a benediction; there is no sweeter sound in nature. 
The large, round, black spots on the breast and sides of this species 
will serve to distinguish it from other Thrushes. It loves the moist 
woodland, but sometimes nests in gardens and along frequented 
roads. The food consists very largely of ground-inhabiting insects.' 
Some wild fruits are also eaten, but no cultivated fruits. 
WILSON’S THRUSH, Hylocichla fuscescens Juscescens (Steph.) 
The Wilson’s Thrush or Veery is a regular but rare summer 
resident in the northern tier of counties, but as a migrant is quite 
common throughout the state. 
THE REMAINING THRUSHES 
The Hermit, Gray-cheeked and Olive-backed Thrushes occur 
as migrants, both in spring and fall. The Hermit is the commonest 
of the migrant Thrushes. It is first to arrive in spring, and lingers 
longest in autumn. It is usually found alone, and is of a retiring dis¬ 
position, seldom being seen outside of woodland thickets; other¬ 
wise, the habits of the Thrushes are much the same. Insects found 
on the ground among the leaves, comprise the larger part of their 
food. 
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CATBIRD, Dumetella carolinensis (Linn.) 
The Catbird is known in name to many persons who have no 
acquaintance with it through observation. Its favorite haunt is the 
seclusion of some low, moist, vine-tangled thicket. One might 
readily overlook this modestly dressed bird in its suit of dark gray 
with cap of black, but for its note of displeasure, much like the 
meow of a kitten, when its privacy is intruded upon. The sexes are 
not to be distinguished by their plumage. 
As a songster, this bird holds high rank and its power of 
mimicry has won for it the name of Northern Mockingbird. 
It seeks the seclusion of shrubbery when singing, being more 
frequently heard than seen, so that it is not strange that few people 
know the connection between the singer and its beautiful songs* 
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