182 



CATBIRD. 



704. Dumetella carolinensis. 9 inches. 



General color dark gray with a black cap and chest- 

 nut under tail coverts. 



This is one of the most common birds throughout 

 the United States, being found equally abundantly in 

 gardens, swamps and scrubby pastures. They are very 

 persistent songsters and have a large repertoire of 

 notes, as well as being able to imitate those of many 

 other birds. They delight in spending an hour or more 

 at a time, perched in a bush or tree top, singing, and 

 apparently making their song up as they go along, for 

 it is an indescribable medley interspersed with various 

 mews and cat calls. 



Song.— A medley like that of the Mockingbird; some- 

 times pleasing, sometimes not. 



Nest. — In hedges or thickets; made of twigs, root- 

 lets and grass, lined with fine black roots; the four 

 eggs are plain greenish blue (.95 x .70). 



Range. — N. A., breeding from the Gulf to New 

 Brunswick and Hudson Bay ; rare west of the Eockies ; 

 winters from the Gulf States southward. 



