In color, form, proportions and voice, the Gnatcatcher may properly be called 'dainty.' His slightly explosive call-note tin-ng, is louder than his exquisitely finished, varied, miniature song. The nest is almost as fine in workmanship as a Hummer's. The 4-5 white, thickly speckled eggs, are laid in April and early May.
THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. FAMILY TURDIDÆ
WOOD THRUSH
Hylocichla mustelina. [Case 6], Fig. 74
Head brighter than tail; underparts white, heavily spotted with large, round black dots. Largest of our Thrushes. L. 8¼.
Range. Nests from Florida and Texas north to central Minnesota and southern New Hampshire; winters in the tropics.
Washington, common S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 10. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 30-Oct. 2. Cambridge, locally common S.R., May 10-Sept. 15. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 20-Oct. 1. Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. 29 SE. Minn., common S.R., May 1-Sept. 19.
Most familiar of our Thrushes. From late April to early August his bell-like notes are heard, not only in the forest, but in wood-bordered village streets and from the shade trees of our lawns. His sharp, pebbly, pit-pit, is prominent in the chorus of protesting notes which greet the Screech Owl should he leave his retreat before diurnal birds have gone to bed.
The nest is usually built in small trees about 8 feet from the ground. The 3-5 greenish blue eggs are laid in May. There is a second brood in June.
VEERY
Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens. [Case 6], Fig. 73