<h2 id="c5">THE VARIED THRUSH. <br/><span class="small">(<i>Hesperocichla naevia.</i>)</span></h2>
<p>The Varied Thrush is one of the most
beautiful members of the family of
thrushes. Its range is somewhat limited
as it frequents only the coastal regions
of the northwestern part of North America.
In winter, however, it may be found
in California and is occasionally seen as
far south as Lower California. As a
straggler, it is sometimes noticed in the
New England states.</p>
<p>Mr. Mitchell says that the Varied
Thrush reaches the Columbia river in its
southward flight some time in October.
He also states that “at this time they flit
through the forests in small flocks, usually
frequenting the low trees, on which
they perch in perfect silence and are at
times very timorous and difficult to approach,
having all the sly sagacity of the
robin.” In fact this bird, which is often
called the Western Robin, is not only
much more shy and retiring than our
well known eastern friend, but their song
is also very different, “consisting only
of five or six notes in a minor key and a
scale regularly descending.” Mr. Townsend
speaks of the song as being louder,
sharper and quicker than that of the
robin and adds that its song just before
its northward flight, in the spring, is
pleasant. Its song is seldom heard except
from the tree tops, and in summer,
as a rule, only from the deeper forests.</p>
<p>Dr. Suckley describes the Varied
Thrush as he studied it in Oregon and
Washington. He says: “In winter it
is a shy bird, not generally becoming
noticeable in the open districts until after
a fall of snow, when many individuals
may be seen along the sand beaches near
salt water. They are at such times tame
and abundant. I suppose that they are
driven out of the woods during the heavy
snows by hunger. It may then frequently
be found in company with the robin, with
which it has many similar habits. At
this time of the year it is a very silent
bird, quite tame and will allow near approach.
It appears to be fond of flying
by short stages in a desultory manner,
sometimes alighting on the ground, at
other times on fences, bushes or trees.”</p>
<p>Mr. Cooper, speaking of the bird as
he found it near San Francisco, says that
they begin to appear in October, when
“they are usually timid, but toward
spring come more familiarly around
houses and utter their shrill, low notes,
which seem much more distant than the
bird itself really is. If pursued they hide,
and sit unmovable among the foliage.”</p>
<p>The bird is also known by several
other names, such as the Spotted, Golden,
Painted or Columbia Robin or Thrush,
and sometimes it is called the Thrush-like
Mockingbird. A marked characteristic
of the male is the black crescent on the
breast.</p>
<p>Mr. Davie describes the nest as found
by Dr. Minor in Alaska: “Its base and
periphery are composed of an elaborate
basket-work of slender twigs. Within
these is an inner nest consisting of an
interweaving of fine dry grasses and
long gray lichen.” The eggs are said
to be a light greenish-blue, slightly
sprinkled with spots of a dark umber-brown.</p>
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