CAROLINA WREN. 53 



Thrasher) and \vc have many a time chased a strange 

 note to find it coming from this old and supposedly 

 well-known friend. 



The Catbird is shrewd and suspicious, always look- 

 ing out for trespassers on what he considers his 

 domain, and usually successful in driving off an in- 

 truder, whether it be squirrel, cat or innocent bird- 

 student; none will stay long to be pelted with his 

 harsh cries. He is truly the policeman of the 

 thickets, and one suspects this to be the reason that 

 timid birds, like the Wood Thrush and Chewink, so 

 often build their nests near his. 



Two broods are raised in a season, and the bulky 

 nest, built in a high bush or briary tangle, is of twigs, 

 rootlets and grasses. The eggs, 4, are deep greenish- 

 blue, unmarked. 



The Catbird's love of fruit has given him a bad 

 reputation, but it has been found that he does more 

 good than harm, nearly half his food being injurious 

 insects. He also prefers wdld fruit to cultivated, and 

 likes the Russian mulberry best of all, so fruit- 

 growers are urged to plant a few wild berries in the 

 garden, and an occasional mulberry tree in the 

 orchard. 



Carolina Wren; Mocking "Wren: TJiryothorus ludo- 

 vicianns. 



Length 5^ inches. 



Upper parts dark reddish-brown; wings and tail barred 

 with black. 



Under parts buffy. A distinct white line over the eye. 

 Resident (common) all the year. 



This Wren has a delightful voice, and we are espec- 

 ially fond of him because he sings when other birds 



