captivity. Some planters complain of their propensity to scratch the
ground for the purpose of picking up the newly planted corn; but I am
of opinion that the scratching has reference exclusively to worms or beetles,
their strong legs and feet being well adapted for this purpose; and,
generally speaking, they are great favourites, as they commit few depredations
on the crops.
This species, as well as the Robin and some others of this genus, suffer
greatly during the autumnal moults, and when in cages at this season,
become almost naked of feathers. The young acquire the full beauty of
their plumage during the first winter.
T U R D U S R U F U S , Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 293 Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. 338.—
Ch. Bonaparte, Synops. of Birds of the United States, p. 75.
F E R R U G I N O U S T H R U S H , T U R D U S R U F U S , Wils. Amer. Ornith. voL ii. p. 83. pi. 14,
fig. 1—Nuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 328.
O R P H E U S R U F U S , F O X - C O L O U R E D M O C K - B I R D , Swains, and Ricliards. Fauna Boreali-
Amer. part ii. p. 189.
Adult Male. Plate CXVI. Fig. 1. 1.
Bill rather long and slender, slightly arched, compressed, acute; upper
mandible slightly arched in its dorsal line and acute edges, the tip decimate
; lower mandible nearly straight along the back. Nostrils basal,
oblong, half-closed by a membrane. The general form is rather slender
and elegant, like that of the Mocking Bird. Feet longish, rather strong;
tarsus compressed, anteriorly covered with a few long scutella, sharp behind
; toes scutellate above, free; claws compressed, arched, acute.
Plumage soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, rounded, the
first primary very short, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail very long, of
twelve straight rounded feathers.
Bill black, the base of the lower mandible light blue. Iris yellow.
Feet dusky-brown. The general colour of the plumage above is a bright
reddish-brown, the quills dusky on their inner webs, and the wings crossed
with two white bars margined anteriorly with black, being on the tips of
the smaller and secondary coverts. The lower parts are yellowish-white,
the breast and sides marked with triangular dark-brown spots, the lower
tail-coverts pale brownish-red.
Length 11£ inches, extent of wings 13 ; bill along the back 1, along
the edge \fv ; tarsus 1T*2.
Adult Female. Plate CXVI. Fig. 2. %
The female resembles the male, the bars on the wings being narrower,
and the spots on the breast lighter. The dimensions are nearly the
same.
—
- .
T H E B L A C K J A C K OAK.
•
Q U E R C U S N I G R A , Willd. Sp. PI. voL iv. p. 442. Pursh, Flor. Amer. Sept. vol. ii.
p. 629.
Q U E R C U S F E R R U G I N E A , Mich. Arbr. Forest, vol. i. p. 92, pL 18. MoNfficiA P O L Y -
A N D R I A , Linn. A M E N T A C E J E , Juss.
Leaves coriaceous, dilated at the end and three-lobed, when young
mucronate, smooth above, covered with a rust-like powder beneath, the
cupule turbinate, its scales obtuse and scarious, the acorn shortly ovate.
This tree forms the principal growth of the open barrens of Kentucky,
and is also met with in all our Southern Districts. It is of small height,
and extremely crooked in its growth, so as to be of little service, excepting
as fire-wood; but it bears abundantly, producing fine mast for hogs.
T H E B L A C K S N A K E .
This Snake is possessed of great activity, climbs with ease over bushes
and along the trunks of trees, and glides so swiftly over the ground as
easily to elude pursuit. It feeds on birds, eggs, frogs, and small quadrupeds,
and evinces great antipathy towards all other species of Serpent,
with most of which, although destitute of poison fangs, it fights on the least
provocation. It occurs abundantly from Louisiana to Connecticut, but
I have not observed it in Maine or the British provinces.
oio-;ii¿í:> islirgiush} di