3O LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



into being, its bill of fare is augmented. Complete 

 specimens of the diptera have been identified, of 

 which Tabcuius lineola, T. cinctus, Mns.ca domestica, 

 Stomoxys f calcitrans, and species of Or tali s and 

 Anlhomya, are ezamples. Among lepidoptera, 

 the larvae of Pieris rapic, Eujitchia ribearia, 

 Gortyna zece, Anisopteryx vernata, and others of 

 the PhalcenoidcBt Clisiocampa Americana, and the 

 smaller Noctuids, Tortricids and Tincids. 



The Cat Bird's power of memory though circum- 

 scribed and imperfectly exercised, is nevertheless 

 very amusing. The more complicated notes it 

 seldom attempts to copy, for when it does, it sig- 

 nally fails. The note of the Quail, the refrain of 

 the Towhee, the simple strain of the Pewee Fly 

 Catcher, it imitates so faithfully that it is difficult 

 to distinguish them from the original. Besides 

 these, we have heard snatches of soni^s of the 



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Field and White-throated Sparrows, as well as the 

 surprise notes of the Robin. 



Unlike the Long- tailed Thrush when it essays a 

 songf, the Cat Bird is not over-nice in its choice of 



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position. It generally seeks low bushes and small 

 trees, but will occasionally like the Blue Bird pour 

 forth its choicest strains from the ground, a de 



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cayed log, or perched upon a fence-rail. It is one 

 of the earliest and most persevering of our song- 

 sters, regaling us with its varied notes, except at 

 brief intervals, during the livelong clay. With its 

 extensive store of notes and meagre knoweledge 

 of the rules of harmony, it but excites amusement 



