40 THE SECOND BOOK OF BIRDS 
was trying to express his thanks to her, and his 
regrets at the way he had treated her the day 
before. At least, that was the way it seemed to 
her. 
A catbird is as full of fun and pranks as a 
mockingbird. He may sometimes be seen to do 
what looks like playing jokes on others. A lady 
told me she saw a catbird drive a crow nearly 
wild by mocking his “ caw.” He cawed as well 
as the crow himself, and the crow was furious, 
dashing down at his small tormentor, and in 
every way showing anger at what no doubt 
seemed a great insult. 
The TurasHER, or Brown THRUSH, 1s also of 
this family. He is reddish brown on the back, 
and heavily spotted on the breast, and he has a 
long tail which he jerks about a good deal. 
He is known all over the Eastern and Southern 
States, and his California brother is almost ex- 
actly like him. He is a fine singer, and has been 
called the French mockingbird. Sometimes it is 
hard to tell his song from the mockingbird’s. 
The thrasher’s nest is usually made in a bush, 
the thickest and thorniest that can be found, 
and the brave little parents will make a great 
fight to keep their nestlings from harm. At 
one time, when a boy went to carry off some 
