>From the archives - see below. Interesting to us was how common this bird was in the winter of 2011 when we visited Debs' mom in Bellingham. This year in late February 2012, we did not see any at that same location.

Any idea as to the identity/history of the fellow (Harold Anderson) who wrote the article below?
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Notes on the Varied Thrush at Bellingham, Washington (1917)

Of the winter birds here the Varied Thrush is perhaps the most abundant, equaling, if not surpassing, in numbers the Rusty Song Sparrow, Oregon Junco, and a few others which can be considered common.

The birds appear in the woods along Whatcom Creek about the middle of November (November 14, 1914), and depart in April (April 26, 1914; April 16, 1915). Although they are supposed to be "resident in coniferous forests throughout the state from sea-level to limit of trees," I have never observed one here during the summer months.

Upon their arrival the birds are shy and do not allow a very close approach; later, however, especially if the ground is covered with snow, they can be frequently found among the houses in the city sometimes even coming upon the steps if food is placed there.

In the woods the birds are usually found upon the ground, searching for food among the leaves. When one approaches they rise quickly, uttering a short clut, and fly into the nearest tree. Though their size and shape are much like that of the Robin, their position and manner when perching are different. They assume a stiff, leaning-forward attitude, the stripes on the sides of the head exaggerating the length of the bird. If the observer persists in following them, they will always keep a safe distance ahead.

I have heard nothing that might be called a true song from these birds, though call-notes are numerous. Perhaps the most common one which, strangely, is heard most frequently on rainy days, is a drawn-out "uu."

The winter of 1915-16 was an unusually severe one for this part of the state, and consequently a large number of the birds were deprived of their customary amount
of food. As there were many birds in the back yard, I placed some boards upon the snow and covered them with bread crumbs. A few minutes later a half-dozen birds were there. One Varied Thrush, the largest and most conspicuously colored, immediately drove the others away and took possession of the food. As this continued for some time and the others were deriving no benefit from the food, I divided the food and placed half of it farther away.

Now, when the birds returned (for they had flown out of the yard when I approached) the fun began. First one would dart down and seize a piece of bread. At once, like a flash, and with the feathers on his head raised in anger, the tyrant would be after him. At the same time, another which was waiting for Just this opportunity, swooped down on the other food-board. By the time the Thrush could get back the other would be gone, and with it a piece of food. Thus back and forth for nearly half an hour the fight for possession continued, the others always the victors, for invariably they secured a crumb. Finally, he tired and flew away, and the others, without fighting, ate the food. Later some English Sparrows arrived, but, as they did not disturb the Thrushes they were not disturbed themselves.

Harold Anderson,
Bellingham, Wash.

Bird-Lore 19: 273-274 (1917)
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