108 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



on account of his undeniable propensity to steal cherries, but also 

 because many persons dislike the cat-like notes which he utters on 

 certain occasions. But if he is to be condemned to persecution on 

 account of these failings, we must also consider that he is little 

 if any worse than the Robin or the Mocking-bird and when we 

 enlist our thoughts in his favor, and consider his confident famili- 

 arity, his trim, graceful form, neat dress, bright, easy manners, 

 and interesting song, we may readily forgive all his short-comings. 

 Though distinguished by his song, which, notwithstanding its frequent 

 interruption by imitations, is eminently original in style, it is, how- 

 ever, his manners which commend him most to our notice. There 

 is scarcely an orchard in the land, from the Atlantic coast to the 

 western base of the Rocky Mountains, and from the Gulf of Mexico 

 to the British Provinces, which is not enlivened by the presence of 

 one or more pairs of Catbirds ; and very incomplete an American 

 orchard would seem without them. At all hours of the day his 

 cheerful song may be heard from among the green boughs of an 

 apple-tree ; and when the heat of the midday sun tells him that a 

 bath would be refreshing, he comes and splashes in the wash-basin 

 at the back-door in the most perfect civilized style. Then, when 

 we return his familiarity and intrude upon his own household, 

 we cannot but admire the courage with which he remonstrates and 

 defends his home. 



The song of the Catbird is one which, though vigorous and pleas- 

 ing, is not universally admired. It has sufficient vigor, for he 

 is untiring in his efforts to please ; it has strength enough, for 

 he is ever ambitious to make his voice conspicuous in the morn- 

 ing chorus; and we occasionally catch snatches of soft and sweet 

 notes, or he even now and then manages to execute some very 

 brilliant passage. But should the latter be the case, he seems him- 

 self astonished, though evidently well pleased, for he pauses as if 

 waiting for and expecting applause. In his performance there is 

 too much deliberation, and the general effect is that he is merely 

 practicing, during which he at times gets tired of his own voice, 

 and substitutes other sounds which he has heard. These he imitates 

 with tolerable success, but the sounds which he most affects, as the 

 squeal of a young pig, the squeaking of a hinge, or the squall of a 

 cat, are harsh interruptions to a song which might otherwise be 

 pleasing. 



