ird.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 421

705. BROWN THRASHER. _Toxostoma rufum_.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the Gulf States north to
Canada. Winters in the Gulf States and southward.

This large, handsome songster is found breeding in just such localities
as are preferred by the Catbird and the two are often found nesting in
the same hedge or thicket. The nests, too, are similar but that of the
Thrasher is usually more bulky; besides building in bushes they
frequently nest on the ground, lining the hollow under some bush with
fine rootlets. Their three to five eggs are laid during May or June;
they are whitish or pale greenish white, profusely dotted with reddish
brown. Size 1.05 x .80.

706. SENNETT'S THRASHER. _Toxostoma longirostre sennetti._

Range.--Southern Texas and northeastern Mexico.

Very similar to the last but darker above and with the spots on the
breast blacker and more distinct. This species which is very abundant in
the Lower Rio Grande Valley nests the same as the last species in thick
hedges and the eggs are very similar to those of the Brown Thrasher, but
in a large series, average more sparingly marked over the whole surface
and with a more definite wreath about the large end. Data.--Corpus
Christi, Texas, May 12, 1899. Nest of twigs and vines in a bush in
thicket. Six feet from the ground.

707. CURVE-BILLED THRASHER. _Toxostoma curvirostre curvirostre._

Range.--Mexico, north to southern Texas and eastern New Mexico.

This species is a uniform ashy gray above and soiled white below; the
bill is stout and decurved. These birds are as numerous in the Lower Rio
Grande Valley as are the Sennett's Thrasher, frequenting thickets where
they breed in scrubby bushes and cacti. Their nests are rather larger
and more deeply cupped than are those of the last species and the eggs
can easily be distinguished. They have a ground color of light bluish
green, minutely dotted evenly all over the surface with reddish brown.
Size 1.10 x .80. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, April 6, 1900. 5 eggs. Nest
of sticks and thorns on a cactus in a thicket; 6 feet from the ground.

[Illustration 423: Greenish white.]
[Illustration: Brown Thrasher.]
[Illustration: Greenish white.]
[Illustration: Bluish green.]
[Illustration: 707a--708--710.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 422

707a. PALMER'S THRASHER. _Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri._

Range.--Very a