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Hermit Thrush
Adult--Upper parts dusky olive brown; tail bright rufous; under parts white or whitish, tinged on the breast with buff, and marked with large dark spots. Length--7.17.
Breeding Range--From Michigan and northern New England (including northwestern Connecticut), the higher regions of New York, northward.
The nest is always on the ground, generally in damp, woody places or on shrubby slopes. It resembles the nest of the Wilson's thrush, but is rather larger, and pine needles and moss, as well as leaves, roots, weeds, etc., are used in its construction. 3 or 4 eggs are laid; they are plain bluish green; in very rare cases they are said to be spotted. Size--.88 x .69.
These birds well deserve the name given them, for their usually solitary habits are truly hermit-like. In the deep, dark forests, where all is hushed and quiet, the sweet sympathetic notes of this famous songster may be heard; few other birds are there to join with him in his song to the woods.
The Hermit Thrush need never be mistaken for any other of the thrush family; his rufous tail and brownish back are entirely distinctive. In northern New England the nesting season commences towards the end of May.