48 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
homes, and by degrees straggle (if I may use the expression) 
to their winter-haunts.” 
(d). The song of the Cat-birds, which is very much like 
that of the Brown Thrush, is in some respects a striking one, 
for the tone and accent are very marked ; and, though some of 
the notes are rather harsh or uncouth, others are very mellow. 
This song is not a definite or limited one, but is repeated for 
several minutes together, from the time of their arrival until 
the summer is nearly over, especially at evening ; but it is not 
unfrequently marred or interrupted by the mimicry of others’ 
notes, for, though the Cat-birds do not possess the wonderful 
powers of the Mocking Birds, yet they are clever mimics, imi- 
tating Quail, Pewees, Least Flycatchers, and even hens, with 
great exactness. I have been more than once deluded by these 
musicians into the belief that I distinctly heard birds, whose 
presence I justly but little expected in the places, where I have 
thus been momentarily deceived. The Cat-birds have a mellow 
chuck, a chattered alarm-note, which I am inclined to think that 
they seldom use, and a familiar harsh ery, which resembles the 
‘“mew” of a cat, whence their common name, and also, prob- 
ably, that instinctive but irrational antipathy, which eb 
boys entertain for this bird. 
II. HARPORHYNCHUS 
(A) rurus. Brown Thrush. ‘Song Thrush.” ‘* Thrasher.” 
“ Mavis.” 
(A common summer-resident in southern New England.) 
(a). About eleven inches long. Above, bright reddish- 
brown ; below, white (or tinged), streaked with dark brown, but 
throat unmarked. Wings with white bars. Tail very long. 
(b). The nest is placed in a bush (occasionally in a tree, 
such as the cedar) or on the ground; never far from it. When 
placed in a bush, sticks are generally used in its construction ; 
in all situations the nest being usually composed, wholly or 
7It is hoped that the author will be excused for these digressive remarks by 
those persons who are well acquainted with the facts mentioned. 
