20 BIRDS THROUGH AN OPERA-GLASS. 
is he in sober earnest when he tries to mimic the 
inimitable Wilson’s thrush? If a wag he is a 
success, for he deceives the unguarded into believ- 
ing him a robin, a cat, and — “a bird new to 
science!” How he must chuckle over the enthu- 
siasm which hails his various notes and the bewil- 
derment and chagrin that come to the diligent 
observer who finally catches a glimpse of the gar- 
rulous mimic ! 
The catbird builds his nest as he does every- 
thing else. The loose mass of coarse twigs patched 
up with pieces of newspaper or anything he hap- 
pens to fancy, looks as if it would hardly bear his 
weight. He lines it, however, with fine bits of 
brown and black roots, and when the beautiful 
dark green eggs are laid in it, you feel sure that 
such an artistic looking bird must enjoy the con- 
trasting colors. 
Mi 
KEEL-TAILED BLACKBIRD; CROW BLACKBIRD; 
BRONZED GRACKLE. 
LowWELL gives this bird the first place in the 
calendar. He says : — 
“Fust come the blackbirds clatt’rin’ in tall trees, 
And settlin’ things in windy Congresses, — 
Queer politicians, though, for Ill be skinned 
If all on ’em don’t head against the wind.’’ 
In spite of all that may be brought up in Grand 
