USEFUL BIRDS 163 



colors and conspicuously lony" tail make it a notable object when 

 it seeks a prominent position on a lofty branch, preparatory to 

 singing. Its song, while striking, will not compare, we believe, 

 with those of the two preceding nor with that of the cat bird. 

 One of its chief charms, perhaps, lies in the fact that it is an ac- 

 companiment of the welcome spring weather. \\'e have been so 

 struck by the little rhyme credited to "01i\e'' in "Citizen Bird," 

 which certainly is very descriptive of its habits and song, that we 

 venture to repeat it here: 



"My creamy breast is speckled 

 (Perhaps you'd call it freckled) 

 Black and brown. 



"My pliant russet tail 

 Beats like a frantic flail. 

 Up and down. 



"In the top branch of a tree 

 You may chance a glance at me. 

 When I sing. 



"But I'm very, very shy, 

 When I silently float by, 

 On the wing. 



"Whew there! Hi there! Such a clatter. 

 What's the matter — what's the matter? 

 Really, really? 



"Digging, dehing, raking, sowing. 

 Corn is sprouting, corn is growing. 



Plant it, plant it! 



Gather it, gather it ! 



Thresh it, thresh it ! 



Hide it, hide it, do ! 



( I see it — and you.) 

 Oh ! I'm that famous scratcher, 

 H-a-r-p-o-r-h-y-n-c-h-u-s r-u-f-u-s — Thrasher 

 Cloaked in In-own." 



