48 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



homes, and bj' degrees straggle (if I may use the expression) 

 to their winter-hauutsJ 



(cl). The song ot the Cat-birds, which is veiy much like 

 that of the Brown Thrush, is in some respects a strilcing one, 

 for the tone and accent are very marked ; and, though some of 

 the notes are rather harsh or uncouth, others are very mellow. 

 This song is not a definite or limited one, but is repeated for 

 several minutes 'together, from the time of their arrival until 

 the summer is nearly over, especially at evening ; but it is not 

 unfrequentl}^ marred or interrupted by the mimicr}' of others' 

 notes, for, though the Cat-birds do not possess tlie wonderful 

 powers of the Mocking Birds, j^et they are clever mimics, imi- 

 tating Quail, Pewees, Least Flycatchers, and even hens, with 

 great exactness. I have been more than once deluded by these 

 musicians into the belief that I distinctly heard birds, whose 

 presence I justl}^ but little expected in tlie places, where I have 

 thus been momentarily deceived. The Cat-birds have a mellow 

 chitck, a chattered alarm-note, which I am inclined to thinii that 

 they seldom use, and a familiar harsh cry, which resembles the 

 "mew" of a cat, whence their common name, and also, prob- 

 ably, that instinctive but irrational antipath}-, which many 

 boj's entertain for this bird. 



III. HARPORHYNCHUS 



(A) RUFDS. Broivn Thrush. ^^ Song Thrush." ^^ Thrasher." 

 " Mavis." 



(A common summer-resident in southern New England.) 



(a). About eleven inches long. Above, bright reddish- 

 brown ; below, white (or tinged), streaked with dark brown, but 

 throat unmarked. "Wings with white bars. Tail very long. 



(b). The nest is placed in a bush (occasionally in a tree, 

 such as the cedar) or on the ground ; never far from it. AVhen 

 placed in a bush, sticks are generally used in its construction ; 

 in all situations the nest being usually composed, wholly or 



'It is hoped that the author will be excused for these digressive remaiks by 

 those persons who arc well acquainted with the facts mentioned. 



