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ORPHEUS CAROLINENSIS— LINN. 



BLACK-CAPPED THRUSH. 



Cat Bird, Turdus lividus, Wils. Amer. Orn. 

 Turdus felivox Bonap. Syn. 

 Orpheus felivox, Cat Bird, Sw. & Rich. 

 Cat Bird, Turdus felivox, Nutt. Man. 

 Cat Bird, Turdus felivox, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Upper part of the head and the tail black ; 

 lower tail coverts dark red ; general plumage dark slate color ; 

 paler beneath. Length eight inches and three quarters, wing three 

 and five-eighths. 



This well kno-wn species usually arrives on Long Island in the 

 latter part of April. With us it is very common, and is abundant in 

 all the cultivated districts throughout the Union. It is familiarly 

 known by the name of Cat Bird, from the occasional resemblance 

 of its notes to the voice of a young kitten. Its favorite resort is 

 among the briars and brambles, and it is met with in almost every 

 thicket during spring and summer. The Cat Bird is remarkable 

 for its singular and varied notes, which commence at early dawn 

 and continue until late twilight, excepting during the heat of the 

 day, when it retires to the shady part of the thicket, and passes the 

 time in silence. Although not ranking with our first songsters, at 

 times its voice is clear and melodious — and on certain occasions I 

 have heard it perform in a manner that would not be discreditable 

 ^0 more celebrated songsters. 



Early in May this familiar species builds its nest, which is usual- 

 ly placed in a thicket of briars, a few feet from the ground; the ma- 

 terials consist of dry leaves, twigs, and dry grass, lined with fibrous, 

 roots. The eggs, from four to five, are plain greenish-blue. 



