TURDID/E — THE THRUSHES. 53 



Haiuts. The Catbird has a very extended geographical range. It is 

 abundant throughout the Atlantic States, from Florida to Maine ; in the 

 central portion of the continent it is found as far north as Lake Winnepeg. 



On the Pacific coast it has been met with at Panama, and also on the 

 Columbia River. It is occasional in Cuba and the I)ahamas, and in the Ber- 

 mudas is a pernument resident. It is also found during the winter months 

 abundant in Central America. It l)reeds in all the Southern States with 

 ])Ossibly the exception of Florida. In Maine, according to Professor Verrill, 

 it is as common as in Massachusetts, arriving in the former place about the 

 20tli of May. about a week later than in the vicinity of Boston, and begin- 

 ning to deposit its eggs early in June. Near Calais it is a less common 

 visitant. 



The Northern migrations of the Catbird commence early in February, 

 when they make their appearance in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. 

 In April they reach Virginia and Pennsylvania, and New England from the 

 1st to the lOtli of jMay. Their first appearance is usually coincident with 

 the l)lossoming of tlie pear-trees. It is not generally a popular or welcome 

 visitant, a prejudice more or less wide spread existing in regard to it. Yet 

 few birds more deserve kindness at our hands, or will better repay it. From 

 its first appearance among us, almost to the time of departure in early 

 fall, the air is vocal with the quaint but attractive melody, rendered all the 

 more interesting from the natural song being often blended with notes im- 

 perfectly mimicked from the songs of other birds. The song, wdiether 

 natural or imitative, is always varied, attractive, and beautiful. 



The Catbird, when once established as a welcome guest, soon makes 

 itself perfectly at home. He is to be seen at all times, and is almost ever in 

 motion. They become quite tame, and the male bird will frequently appar- 

 ently delight to sing in the immediate presence of man. Occasionally they 

 will build their nest in close proximity to a house, and appear unmindful of 

 the presence of the members of the family. 



The Catbird's power of mimicry, tliough limited and imperfectly exer- 

 cised, is frequently very amusing. The more difficult notes it rarely attempts 

 to copy, and signally fails whenever it does so. The whistle of the Quail, 

 the cluck of a hen calling her brood, the answer of the young chicks, the 

 note of the Pewit Flycatcher, and the refrain of Towhee, the Catbird will 

 imitate with so much exactness as not to be distinguished from the original. 



The Catbirds are devoted parents, sitting upon their eggs with great 

 closeness, feeding the young with assiduity, and accompanying them with 

 parental interest when they leave the nest, even long after they are able 

 to provide for themselves. Intruders from whom danger is apprehended 

 they will boldly attack, attempting to drive away snakes, cats, dogs, and 

 sometimes even man. If these fail they resort to piteous cries and other 

 manifestations of their great distress. 



Towards each other they are aflectionate and devoted, mutually assisting 



