THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 401

The RED-WINGED THRUSH (760. Turdua 'ih'acua), a European species, is of accidental occurrence in Greenland.

761. Merula. migratoria. (Lima). AMERICAN Roam. (See Fig. 59, a.) Ad. .5 .-—Top and sides of the head black, a white spot above the eye; rest of the upper parts grayish slate-color; margins of wings slightly lighter; tail black, the outer feathers with white spots at their tips; throat white, spotted with black; rest of the under parts rufous (tipped with white in the fall), becoming white on the middle of the lower belly. Ad. 9 .——Similar, but back of head tipped with grayish ; back, tail, and under parts lighter. Young in nestling plumage—Back and under parts spotted with black. L., 10'00; W., 4-96; T., 3'87; 13., '84.

Range.-—“ Eastern North America to the Rocky Mountains, including east- ern Mexico and Alaska. Breeds from near the southern border of the United States north ward to the arctic coast; winters from southern Canada and the Northern States (irregularly) southward ” (A. 0. U.).

Washington, rather common S. R., abundant T. V., from Feb. to Apl.; irregularly common W. V. Sing Sing, common S. R., Mob. 4 to Oct. 30; a few winter. Cambridge, very abundant S. R., common but irregular W. V.

Nest, of coarse grasses, leaves, rootlets, etc., with an inner wall of mud and lining of fine grasses, most frequently in fruit or shade trees, five to thirty feet up. Eggs, three to five, greenish blue, very rarely with brownish markings, 1'14 x '60.

While the few Robins that have the courage to Winter with us are seeking protection from chilling winds in the depths of friendly ever- greens, their comrades who extended their journey to the south are holding carnival under sunny skies. In Florida, during the winter, Robins may be found in enormous flocks, feeding on the berries of the China tree, holly, and mistletoe. Occasionally they give voice to a. half-suppressed chorus, as though rehearsing for the approaching season of song.

Robins migrate in flocks, and the arrival of the advance guard makes the dreariest March day seem bright. It is a question whether these pioneers are summer residents or transients en route to a more northern summer home, but in my experience they make the sunny side of some woods their headquarters and remain there until paired. They are then in full song. and we see them in their accustomed haunts about our lawns and orchards.

Toward the last of June the young of the first brood, with the old males, resort in numbers nightly to a roosting place. These roosts are generally in deciduous second growths, usually in low, but sometimes on high ground. The females are now occupied with the cares of a second family. and the males are said to return each day to assist them in their duties.*

* See studies of Robins‘ roasts, by William Brewster, in Auk. x, 1890, pp. 360-373, and Bradford Torrey in The Foot-path Way, 1892, pp. 163—176. ,. . 2‘