[90 Bird-Lore of most Warblers, for which they might readily be mistaken; but their smaller size and short outer primary, which is not more than one-third as long as the longestfare distinguishing characters
Appenmnu (1m! Hakim—Like the Warblers, the Kinglets' and Gnat— catchers are active inhabitants of the trees, and here again they might be compared with the former; but their smaller size, the Kinglets’ trick of quickly flitting the wings, and the Gnatcatcher's long tail, which in life is very noticeable, will serve to Separate them. _
Sang.—Both the Kinglets and Gnatcatchers are unusually good singers; indeed, in view of their small size their vocal gifts are surprising. The Gnatcatcher‘s voice, it is true, lacks volume, but his execution is above criticism, while the Ruby-crowned Kinglet's remarkable, rich, loud notes place him among songsters of the first rank.
FAMiLi is. THRUSHES, SOLITAIKES, STONECHATS. BLUEBIRDS, ETC, Family Turdidat.
Rangel—Few ornithologists agree as to what birds shall be included in the family Turdidm, Its composition will doubtless always be a matter of opinion: and in cases of this kind it is of far more importance to adopt some uniform plan of treatment and stick to it, than to follow every author who thinks he has discovered the true key to the classification of the group. In other words, in the minor details of classification, the jugglings of the systematist are apt to do more harm than good. Fortunately, we have the ‘Check-List‘ of the American Ornithologisrs' Union to guide us, and the Turdida as there defined numbers some 275 species, of which 125 are found in the western hemisphere, 13 in North America, and 7 east of the NIississippi. i
Seasm.--Most Thrushes are highly migratory. The Hermit alone, of our smaller species, winters in eastern i‘ orth America. The Robin and Bluebird make shorter journeys, rarely crossing our southern boundaries and wintering regularly as far north as southern New England.
Galina—The typical Thrush is brownish above, white, spotted with ihlack below. From this pattern there is wide variation, but the young of ‘all the species included in this family show 'rheir ancestry by being spotted in juvenal plumage.
Extrrrml Struttllr(.—ln the Thrushes the tarsus is booted, or, in less technical language, the covering of the so-called ‘legs‘ is without scales; the tail-feathers are of nearly equal length, distinguishing Thrushes from Thrashers, which have rounded tails: and the outer primary is less than one inch in length.
Sang.—Thrushes are preéminent as songbirds, and with the inclusion of the Solitaires, the family might well challenge all the remaining members of the class Aves to a song contest without danger of defeat.
