A Synopsis of the Birds of North America

by John James Audubon

Male, 9, 12.

From Texas to Massachusetts, inland to the Missouri. Accidental in the Fur Countries. Constant resident in the Southern States. Abundant.

Cat Bird, Turdus lividus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 90.

Turdus felivox, Bonap. Syn. p. 75.

Orpheus felivox, Cat Bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 192.

Cat Bird, Turdus felivox, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 332.

Cat Bird, Turdus felivox, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 171; v. v. p. 440.

141. 4. Orpheus rufus, Linn. Ferruginous Mocking-Bird.—Thrushes. Brown Thrush.

Bill and tail more elongated than in the other species, wings shorter. Upper parts light brownish-red; inner webs of quills dusky. Wings crossed by two white bars margined anteriorly with black, being on the tips of the first row of small and secondary coverts; lower parts yellowish-white, the breast and sides marked with triangular dark brown spots. Female smaller.

Male, 11¹/₂, 13.

From Texas eastward, and to the Fur Countries, breeding everywhere. Abundant, and resident in the Southern and Western States.

Ferruginous Thrush, Turdus rufus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ii. p. 83.

Turdus rufus, Bonap. Syn. p. 75.

Orpheus rufus, Fox-coloured Mocking-Bird, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 189.

Ferruginous Thrush or Thrasher, Turdus rufus, Nutt. Man. v. i. p. 328.

Ferruginous Thrush, Turdus rufus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. ii. p. 102; v. v. p. 441.

GENUS IV. TURDUS, Linn. THRUSH.

Bill of moderate length or shortish, rather stout, straight, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end, acute; upper mandible with the ridge rather narrow, the sides convex toward the end, the notches small, the tip narrow; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, the dorsal line ascending, slightly convex, the sides rounded, the tip narrow. Nostrils oblong, partially concealed by the feathers. Head of ordinary size, ovate; neck rather short; body rather full. Feet longish, rather strong; tarsus as long as the middle toe and claw; hind toe rather stout; lateral toes equal; claws arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and rather blended. Wings of moderate length, rounded, the first quill very small, the third and fourth longest. Tail rather long, nearly even.