THE BROWN THRUSH, OR THRASHER. 
21 
THE BROWN THRUSH, OR THRASHER 
The brown thrush, as a songster, ranks next to the mocking-bird, and, 
like the latter, is a genuine American, being found in almost every part of 
the United States, from Canada to the shores of the Mexican Gulf, breeding, 
according to Mr. Nuttall, in all the intermediate space. The brown thrush 
is more brilliant in plumage than his rival, the mocking-bird: above, he is 
bright reddish brown; beneath, yellowish white; the legs are black, and 
the breast and sides are covered with arrow-headed dark-brownish spots. 
The habits of this bird are much the same as those of the mocking-bird; but 
he is more of a Northerner, and occurs as frecpiently in Northern States 
as the mocking-bird does in the South. His voice somewhat resembles 
that or the European thrush, but is far more varied and powerful, rising 
pre-eminent amidst the forest choir. 
On the first appearance of this bird in the spring, he falters in his song, 
like the nightingale; but when his mate commences the cares and labors 
incident to breeding and rearing her young, his varied and melodious notes 
are steadily poured out in all their vigor and strength. In the month of 
May, while the blooming orchards perfume the air and decorate the land¬ 
scape, his enchanting voice, in his affectionate lay, seems to give grateful 
utterance for the bounty and teeming profusion of nature, and falls in pleas¬ 
ing unison with the harmony and beauty of the season; and even the young 
birds, in a state of solitary domesticity, without the aid of their parent’s 
voice, already whisper forth, in harmonious revery, the pathetic and sweet 
warble instinctive to the species. 
Deprived of other society, in a state of captivity, the brown thrush is 
exceedingly familiar, cheerful, and capriciously playful. He courts the 
attention of his keeper, follows his steps, complains when neglected, flies to 
him when permitted to be at large, and gratefully sings and reposes when 
