MOCKERS AND SCOLDERS 137 



which is blackish. The males, who sing, have more white on the 

 wings and tail than the females, who are songless. 



Under parts whitish. 



Sings his own true song, a rapid, sweet melody, heard best after 

 twilight ; but has many comic songs of whatever nonsense comes 

 into his head. 



A Citizen of the southern United States, often straying no^'th- 

 ward to Xew England. 



A Ground Gleaner, Tree Trapper, and Seed Sow^er. 



THE CATBIRD 



When the Doctor said " Catbird " the children began 

 to imitate the various calls this famous garden bird 

 utters, for by this time they were familiar with all 

 his tricks and manners. Some of the imitations were 

 very good indeed, if not musical. '' Miou ! Zeay I 

 Zeay ! " 



"That is all very well in its way," said the Doctor, 

 " but which one of you can imitate his song? " 



" I've often tried," said Rap, " but somehow he always 

 gets ahead of me, and I lose the place." 



" Listen ! There is one singing now in the grape 

 arbor, and he has a nest somewhere in the syringa 

 bushes," said Olive. 



The Catbird was not alarmed when he saw that 

 five pairs of e3"es were turned upon him. He seemed 

 to know that the secret of his nest was in safe keep- 

 ing, flew out to the pointed top of a clothes-pole, and 

 continued his song, jerking his tail up and down 

 and showing the rusty feathers beneath, as if this 

 motion had something to do with the force of his 

 music. 



