EI. FAMILY TITRDIN2E, (THE THRUSHES).
Genus Turdus. Woodthrush. Summer resident, com mon; omnivorous. Beetles. caterpillars, various insects, and, in autumn, berries, constitute its principal food. —Hermit thrush. Summer resident, frequent; omnivor ous; feeds on various insects, and small berries. Wil son's thrush. Summer resident, frequent; omnivorous. Like the preceding, its food is principallj coleopterous insects and autumnal berries.— Olive-backed thrush. Summer residEnt, frequent; omnivorous; food and habits similar.—Gray-cheeked thrush. Summer resident, very rare; doubtful ; omnivorous; unknown, except from analogy.—Robin. Resident, frequent; rare in winter; omnivorous. .In early summer they feed much on the groond, picking up the various worms and insects of the season. In autumn they often resort to small fruits and berries. When winter arrives many of them East retire to the tide marshes of rivers, where seed and insect food are still found. When these have been long covered with snow the robins are said to return to orchards and find subsistence in t he rotten apple. still hanging on the trees.
Genus Sialia. Bluebird. Resident, very common; rare in winter; insectivorous. This favorite of every house hold, the lovely and confiding bluebird, seeks its food on the ground among grass. It seems to prefer coleopterous beetles, but also devours other insects, caterpillars, spiders, etc., and sometimes ripe berries. It well repays the use of the box, so often provided for its habitation. Genus Regulus. Ruhy-crowned wren. Migratory, fre quent iu season; insectivorous.—Golden-crested wren. Migratory, frequent in season; insectivorous. These species, very nearly identified by appearance and habits, are wholly insect feeders. Ever vigilant, they may be seen closely scanning the bark aud leaves of trees and shrubs, in the orchard or garden, in quest of small insects or larvEe, spiders, etc. Sometimes thdy pursue and cap ture them on the wing. Their scrutinizing habits have obtained for them the name of wrens.