We had not one, but two Gray-cheeked Thrushes in the yard today (Sunday, 5/23/1999): Davidsonville, Anne Arundel County, MD. One of them traced an identical path made by a bird last year ... it walked right across the driveway at the exact same place. [Same bird?] (Unfortunately, I can't locate my note with last year's date on it). Both birds were vocalizing in mid-afternoon. Try as we could, we could not make either of them into a Bicknell's. A review of all the literature and of the vocalizations makes me respect even more how difficult the separation problem is for these species. Virtually nothing is a reliable field mark, except maybe size (?)--and color of the "bottom of the foot" (sheesh !!!). Tail color and lower mandible color are not 100% reliable. After listening to a number of recordings, I'm no convinced the vocalization case is a strong one, in my mind--but I'll let those with more vocalization experience comment on that. Phil ================================================ Phil Davis home: PDavis@ix.netcom.com Davidsonville, Maryland USA work: PDavis@OAO.com Greenbelt, Maryland USA ================================================