PEATE EV —CATBIRD: 
Galeoscoptes carolinensis. 
Prevailing color slate, palest below ; under-side of rump reddish ; 
crown, tail, bill and feet black ; tail full and rounded. Length, 8.90 
inches. 
Migratory. Arrives early in May, leaves about October 15. Nests in bushes. A 
common bird, lurking in the shrubbery of gardens or in the tangle of road-side thickets, and 
uttering its well-known cat-like mew with a persistency worthy of a more agreeable sound. 
Another of its calls, even still less musical, resembles the syllables ¢rat-tat-tat-tat given in 
quick succession. 
It has, however, a beautiful song which has been called a medley, imitative of the 
Robin and the Thrush. This song is heard only during the breeding season, and though 
truly an admirable performance, a quick ear may detect in it a slight, whining quality 
suggestive of the feline note. 
The bird is really a handsome one, but, owing to its skulking habits, and the unsocial 
manner with which it resents inspection, scarcely a favorite. 
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