114. Short-billed Marsh Wren (C isto - 
thorus platensis (Latham)) 
This wren is an uncommon summer 
resident. In the spring of 1930 sev¬ 
eral were observed, and one specimen 
was collected (21) . More recently, 
in 1960 and 1962, Shelton observed 
this wren on seven occasions, all in 
dense marsh grass, and was of the 
opinion that it breeds on the island. 
MIMIDAE (Mockingbirds and Thrashers) 
115. Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos 
(Linnaeus)) 
This bird is a very rare visitor. 
One immature specimen was collected at 
Tobin Harbor on September26,1929 (20). 
116. Catbird ( Dumetella carolinensis 
(Linnaeus)) 
The catbird is a rare migrant. A 
single bird was collected from a dense 
balsam, birch, and alder thicket along 
Washington Creek in 1905 (14 ). In 1929 
two specimens were taken (21 ). Shelton 
saw one in the vicinity of a beaver 
pond near Moose Lake on May 25,1963 (39). 
117. Brown Thrasher ( Toxostoma rufum 
(Linnaeus)) 
The brown thrasher is a rare mi¬ 
grant. Laurence Dayton saw one on the 
island. May 4, 1937 ( 21) . In recent 
years Shelton noted the species on 
three occasions: one singing in the 
1936 burn area near Lake Harvey (May 
14, 1962) , one singing near Rock Harbor 
opposite Mott Island (May 20, 1962), 
and one seen at Tobin Harbor (May 25, 
1963)(39) . 
TURDIDAE (Thrushes and Bluebirds) 
**118. Robin ( Turdus migratorius 
Linnaeus) 
The robin is an uncommon summer 
resident and a common migrant. The 
habitats most preferred seem to be the 
aspen and birch conifer types, the 
1936 burn area, and the clearings and 
partial clearings. J.H. Malone caught 
a robin on Menagerie Island in 1891 
and noted that these birds were mi¬ 
grating in October 1892 ( 40) . At 
Washington Harbor, robins appeared 
in hundreds during migrations in the 
spring and fall of 1891 and the 
spring of 1892 ‘(17). In 1904 and 
1905 the robin was regarded as rather 
rare and was found nesting at Menag¬ 
erie Island, Siskiwit Bay clearings, 
and in the clearings at Windigo (14). 
Observations were made again in 1929 
and 1937 (21) . During the 1940's and 
early 1950's, the robin was recorded 
by a number of biologists and was 
generally regarded as a fairly common 
summer resident (25, 2J_ 9 29, 30, 35 , 
36 ). In recent years Shelton regarded 
the species as an uncommon summer 
resident and a more common migrant. 
He noted large flocks of noisy robins 
at the Todd Harbor campground in 
October 1962 (39) . Krefting and Lee 
also noted nine in the Windigo Mine 
area on August 9, 1963 (34). 
119o Wood Thrush ( Hylocichla 
mustelina (Gmelin)) 
The wood thrush is a rare summer 
resident. A single bird was observed 
on June 13, 1930 (21) , and during the 
1940's they were seen on rare occa¬ 
sions (29, 30). 
**120. Hermit Thrush ( Hylocichla 
guttata (Pallas)) 
The hermit thrush is an uncommon 
summer resident. In 1905 it was ob¬ 
served regularly at Washington Harbor, 
and the dense clumps of mountain 
maple were the favorite habitat. No 
nests were found, but an immature 
specimen was collected (14, 15). Spec¬ 
imens were collected in 1929 and 1930, 
and others were seen in 1937 (21). In 
1948 nine were observed in a variety 
of habitats; all were single birds 
that appeared to be moving about at 
random (36). The general habitat 
types preferred seem to be clearings 
and partial clearings, the birch- 
conifer type, and the aspen-birch- 
conifer type. Shelton's observations 
40 
