182 



USEFUL BIRDS. 



Quail and some of the notes of the Wood Thrush, together 

 with those of many other birds, given by the Catbird. It 

 may not be generally known that this bird, like many other 

 species, often sings in a very low tone when it believes that 

 danger is near. In October it sometimes repeats its spring 



Fig. 60. — Catbird, oue-half uatural size. 



song so softly that it seems to come from far away when 

 uttered within a few feet of the hearer. The bird's moods 

 arc many. It is in turn a merry jester, a fine musician, a 

 mocking sprite, and a screaming termagant, but always an 

 interesting study, and never prosaic or mediocre. 



No doubt the Catbird is useful, as it fills, in moist thickets, 

 a place similar to that taken by its relative the Thrasher on 

 the drier lands. Unfortunately, however, the poor bird has 

 acquired a bad reputation. It is accused of sucking the eggs 

 of other birds and destrovinsf much fruit. The first charge 

 must be dismissed as not proven, but the second is sustained 

 by good evidence. Dr. Judd reports on the examination of 

 two hundred and thirteen stomachs, from Florida to Kansas 

 and Massachusetts. He finds that three per cent, of the food 

 consists of carnivorous Avasi)S and bees ; spiders are also 

 eaten ; but the destruction of useful insects is more than 

 made U}) for by the number of weevils, plant-feeding bugs. 



