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Olive-backed Thrush
From the latter it may be known by the comparative absence of buff on the breast and sides of the throat, by its whitish eye-ring and grayish lores.
Range.-North America; breeds in Labrador and northwestward to Alaska; migrates through eastern North America to Central America. Washington, rather common T. V., May 10 to June 5: Sept. 10 to Oct. 10. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., May 15 to June 1; Sept. 20 to Oct. 17. Cambridge, uncommon T. V., May 15 to 25; Sept. 25 to Oct. 6. Nest, of grasses, leaves, strips of fine bark, etc., lined with fine grasses, in low trees or bushes. Eggs, four, greenish blue, spotted with rusty brown, 92 x 67.
During its migrations Alice's Thrush may be found associated with the Olive-backed Thrush, from which it can be distinguished in life only by an expert. It is a rather shy bird, and is apt to fly up from the ground to some low limb, and, after a moment's pause, seek a more distant perch before one reaches fair opera-glass range. This species has been so long confused with Bicknell's Thrush that THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. in many cases it is impossible to say to which birds certain records apply. Doubtless there is little difference in their notes or habits, but our knowledge of aliciæ in its summer home is too limited for us to say much about it (see, however, Nelson, Rep. on Nat. Hist. Collections made in Alaska, p. 216). 757a. T. a. bicknelli Ridgw. BICKNELL'S THRUSH.-Similar to the preceding, but averaging somewhat brighter and constantly smaller. L., 6-25-7-25; W., 3·40-3.80; T., 2.60-2-70; B., 50-52 (Ridgw.).