10 NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



This bird is confined to the great central plateau of North America, from 

 Mexico almost to Washington Territory. It is also called "Mountain 

 Mocking Bird ; " in fact, it is more commonly known by this name than any 

 other, although it is said to have no imitative notes. 



Hab. Rocky Mountains of United States, west to Pacific. 



11. Mocking Bird — mimus polyglottus. Light greenish-blue, marked 

 with blotches of yellowish-brown, russet, chocolate and purple. The spots 

 are usually accumulated more thickly at the larger end and sometimes 

 cover it entirely; four to six in number and average .99 by .75. An 

 abundant bird in every Southern State and throughout Mexico. The nest 

 is composed of small twigs and weeds, lined with roots and sometimes 

 with horse-hair and cotton. Various situations are selected for the nest; 

 an almost impenetrable thicket of brambles, an orange tree or holly bush, 

 seem to be favorite localities. Mr. J. A. Singley, of Giddings, Lee Co., 

 Texas, informs me that he finds the nests in that locality built mostly in 

 clumps of live oak scattered over the prairies, also in brush-piles, corners 

 of rail fences and in fact anywhere except on the ground. He has found 

 them as low as six inches from the ground in a low bush, and as high as 



fJA-y feet in trees Hab. Southern United states, north casually to Massachusetts, 



y ' rare north of latitude 38 \ 



12. Cat Bird — galeoscoptes carolinensis. Bluish green; the num- 

 ber of eggs is usually four, and measure .99 by .75. Builds its nest on 

 low bushes or clusters of vines and generally in retired places. It is 

 scarcely ever placed more than ten feet from the ground. The materials 

 are dry leaves, twigs and fine dry grass, lined with fine black, fibrous roots 

 and grasses. Breeds throughout its range in North America. 



Hab. Nearly all the United States and British Provinces. North to o4\ West to Washington, Oregon, 

 Wyoming and Utah. 



13. Brown Thrasher — harporhvnchus rufus. Greenish-white, thickly 

 marked with reddish-brown dots, usually more numerous at the larger 

 end; four to six in number and measure 1.05 by .81. The nest of this 

 Thrush is a bulky structure made of twigs, sticks, strips of bark and with- 

 ered leaves, strongly put together. It contains an inner nest composed of 

 dry leaves, strips of bark and black fibrous roots, and is lined with horses 

 hair and a few feathers. It is usually built in low bushes or clusters of 

 briers, occasionally in a heap of brush-wood and often on the ground. 

 This bird is often called "French Mockingbird," on account of its won- 

 derful gift of mimicry. Breeds nearly throughout its entire range. 



Hab. Eastern United States. 



13«. Mexican Brown Thrasher — harporhvnchus rufus longirostris. 

 Hardly distinguishable from the preceding species, the ground color vary- 

 ing from greenish to reddish-white, thickly sprinkled with large brownish 



