CHAPTER XI 



MOCKERS AND SCOLDERS 

 THE SAGE THRASHER 



" 1 THOUGHT that more tree-trunk birds, such as 

 Woodpeckers, woukl come next," said Rap. 



" We are still taking the Birds that Sing," said the 

 Doctor. " Woodpeckers have no real song ; they be- 

 long to the Birds that Croak and Call ; but the Nut- 

 hatch, Chickadee, and Brown Creeper each has a little 

 tune of its own, as you have heard." 



" Of course — I don't see wliy I said that, for I knoAV 

 Woodpeckers only hammer and croak," said Rap. 



"The family of IMockers, Thrashers, and Wrens is 

 one of the most interesting that we shall meet in our 

 Birdland excursions, for all its members are bright 

 intelligent birds and great talkers. They have some- 

 thing to say for themselves and say it so cleverly that 

 we do not care if their feathers are of sober grays and 

 browns. This family should be very proud of itself, 

 but it does not show any false pride or exclusiveness ; 

 its different members are as sociable and friendly as 

 possible, building their nests in bushes not far from 

 the ground, and taking every occasion to chat confiden- 

 tially with House People. Some of these friendly birds 

 are the Sage Thrasher, the Mockingbird, the Catbird, 

 K 129 



