172 BIRDS OF BERMUDA. 



Sub-family MIMING. 

 Genus Mimus, Boie. 



4. Mimus carolinensis, (Linn.) Gray. Cat-bird. 



Muscicapa carolinensis, Liun. 



Tardus carolinensis, Liclit. 



Orpheus carolinensis, Aud. 



Mimus carolinensis, Gray, Bd., and of modern authors. 



Galeoscoptes carolinensis, Cab., Bd., Snniich., Scl., Stev. 



Felivox carolinensis, Bp. 



Tardus felivox, Vieil., Bp.,Nutt., Aud. 



Orpheus felivox, Sw. & Rich., Aud. 



Mimus felivox, Bp. 



Tardus lividus, Wils. 



Length, 8.85 ; wing, 3.65 ; tail, 4 ; tarsus, 1.5. 



Sab. — United States, north to Eed Eiver and Saskatchewan ; west to 

 the Columbia, to Utah, Wyoming, aud Colorado; south to Panama, 

 Mexico, Cuba. Eesideut in Southern States (Coues). 



Locally termed "Blackbird." Resident and abundant; its harsh, 

 mewing cry may be heard all the year round, relieved in spring by a 

 weak but commendable roundelay. After a shower of rain in May or 

 Juue the marshes appear literally alive with these sprightly birds, and 

 a most agreeable concert takes place amoug the males, prolonged till 

 dusk should the weather continue fine. Ou ordinary occasions durihj^ 

 spriug time they sing a good deal, but rain seems to delight them be- 

 yond measure. They are at most times remarkably bold birds, aud fol- 

 low an intruder through the swamp or cedar grove, perching close to 

 him and scolding most unmusically; but when a pair have a nest they 

 are far more suspicious, and silently leave the neighborhood of their 

 home. The hen bird sits very close on her eggs, but when disturbed 

 darts rapidly away, returning as quickly and noiselessly when danger is 

 past. Niditication commences about the end of March and again at the 

 end of May, two broods being reared. The nest is a large clumsy struct- 

 ure, built of dry grasses, weeds, and twigs, lined with small rootlets. 

 It is very often ornamented externally with rags, bits of paper, skele- 

 ton leaves, «S:c., according to the quaint fancy of the architect. The 

 usual site is in a cedar branch or lemon tree, at from three to eight feet 

 from the ground ; but occasionally an ambitious pair will go a few feet 

 higher. Eggs deep blue, with a greenish tinge, .92 in. by .68 in., usually 

 four in number. Among the numerous nests I examined I found a con- 

 siderable proportion to contain one agg much shorter and rounder than 



