BROWN THRUSH. 211 
rather then popular. Of unattractive colors and unpleasant note, his 
name seems to bring upon him only contempt. Although the nearest 
relation to the prized Mockingbird, and possessing many of his attrac- 
tions, with those who know of the relation, he seems only to lose 
by comparison. Few who listen to his sweet and powerful song, as he 
sits almost erect on the highest branch, can feel the admiration which it 
inspired, when it closes with the mocking cat-call note, and with a saucy 
flirt of his tail he disappears in the deepest thicket. But little he cares 
for public opinion. He dees not ask if his society is welcome, but 
unasked takes up his abode in our dooryards and helps himself to our 
berries and cherries. The good he does is untold, for he is always 
busy and not always in mischief. Worms, insects, and spiders form 
most of his daily fare. He has no favorite dwelling place, but in thickets, 
orchards, woods, and along streams of water his note is heard every 
few yards. His nestis built in some thick bush, constructed of coarse 
materials, mainly dead twigs. The eggs are usually four, light bluish- 
green, unspotted, and measure .99 by .75. | 
GENUs HARPORHYNCHUS. Cabanis. 
Bill about as long as the head, unnotched ; tail moderately longer than wings, Outer 
lateral toe a little longer than inner. 
HARPORHYNCHUS RUFUS (L.) Cab. 
Wrown Thrush. Thrasher. 
Terdus rufus, KIRTLAND, Ohio Geolog. Surv., 1838, 163. 
Mimus rufus, READ, Fam. Visitor, iii, 1853, 399; Proc. Philad. Acad. Nat. Sci., vi. 1853, 
395. 
Harporhynchus rufus, WHEATON, Ohio Agri. Rep. for 1860, 365; Reprint, 1861, 7; Food of 
Birds, etc., Ohio Agri. Rep. for 1874, 562; Reprint, 1875, 2—LaNGpDoN, Cat. Birds of 
Cin., 1877, 3; Revised List, Journ. Cin. Soc. Nat. Hist., i, 1879, 169; Reprint 3. 
Thrush, KIRTLAND, Fam. Visitor, i, 1850, 1.—BaLLou, Field and Forest, iii, 1878, 136. 
Turdus rufus, LINN&UB, Syst. Nat. i., 1758, 169. 
Mimus rufus, GRAY. 
Harporhynchus rufus CABANIS, Mus. Hein., i, 1850, 82. 
Above reddish brown; below white, with more or less tawny tinge. Breast and sides 
spotted with dark brown. Throat and belly unspotted. ‘Bill black above, yellow be- 
low, feet pale, iris yellow. Length 11; wing 4; tail 5 to 6. 
Habitat, Eastern United States. 
Common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives usually about the 10th 
of April and remains until September. The Brown Thrush or, as he is 
sometimes called, French Mockingbird is well known throughout the 
State. Though never so abundant as the Catbird, his ‘size and eccentric 
