with longitudinal black lines, and the back, which is of a duller tint,
with regular transverse bars of the same. The tail is barred with black,
the subterminal bar not nearly so broad as in the male, and the tips
brownish-white. The under surface is like that of the male, but the breast
and flanks are marked with oblong pale yellowish-brown streaks, the spots
on the inner webs of the quills are pale brown.
Length 12 inches.
THE BUTTER-NUT, OR WHITE WALNUT.
JUGLANS CINEREA, Willd. Sp. PI. vol. iv. p. 456. Pursh, Flor. Amer. Sept. vol. ii.
p. 626.—J. CATHARTICA, Mich. Arbr. Forest, vol. i. p. 165. pi. 2.
In this species the leaflets are numerous, serrated, rounded at the
base, downy beneath, their petiols villous; the fruit oblongo-ovate, with
a long nipple-like apex, which is grooved and rough. It is often a graceful
tree, growing to the height of fifty feet or more. The wood is light
coloured, but is not much used. The nuts, when young and tender,
make a pickle which is relished in many parts of the Union. It does not
occur in Maine, but farther south is abundant, as well as in the western
country.
THE GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH.
TURDUS AUROCAPILLVS, LATH.
P L A T E C X L I I I . MALE AND FEMALE.
IT is difficult for me to conceive the reasons which have induced certain
naturalists to remove this bird from the Thrushes, and place it in the
genus Sylvia. The habits of a bird certainly are as sure indications of
its nature, as the form of its bill or feet can be; and while the latter
afford no good grounds for rejecting this species as a Thrush, the former
are decidedly favourable to its remaining where its discoverer placed it.
The Golden-crowned Thrush nestles on the ground, where, certes,
the nest of no true Sylvia has ever been found, at least in America; it
searches for food as much there as on the branches of trees ; and its young
follow it for nearly a week before they resort to the latter, although quite
able to fly. But differences of opinion, such as that occurring in the present
case, are of little interest to me, and cannot influence Nature, whom alone
I follow, in her arrangements.
The notes of this bird are first heard in Louisiana, about the beginning
of March. Some individuals remain there all summer, but the
greater number proceed eastward, some going as far as Nova Scotia, while
others move towards the west. Over all this extent of country the species
is dispersed, and its breeding places are in the interior or along the margins
of shady woods watered by creeks and rivulets, and seldom visited by man,
it being of a shy and retiring disposition, so that its occurrence in the open
parts of the country is very rare. In places like these, it settles for the season,
attunes its pipe to its simple lay, forms its nest, rears a brood or two, and
at the approach of winter, spreads its wings and returns to southern regions.
Perched erect on a low horizontal branch, or sometimes on a fallen
tree, it emits, at intervals of ten or fifteen minutes, a short succession of
simple notes, beginning with emphasis and gradually falling. This suffices
to inform the female that her lover is at hand, as watchful as he is
affectionate. The quieter the place of his abode, the more the little minstrel
exerts his powers; and in calm evenings, its music immediately following
the song of the Tawny Thrush, appears to form a pleasant unison.
The nest is so like an oven, that the children in many places call this
species the " Oven Bird." I have found it always on the ground, some