64 TURDID^E I THRUSHES. 



constructed chiefly of leaves, bark-strips, and rootlets, 

 mixed with twigs of considerable size, rags, twine, 

 &c., but roots and bark are usually most con- 

 spicuous in its structure. The eggs, to the number 

 of four or five, are rich dark bluish-green in color, 

 unmarked, measuring about 0.90 long by 0.68 broad. 

 Two broods may be reared under favorable circum- 

 stances. The first set of eggs is laid about the last 

 of May ; the next, if there be one, early in July. 

 Besides its curious note of alarm and interrogation, 

 from the sound of which the common name of the spe- 

 cies is derived, the Cat-bird has a song of great com- 

 pass, variety, and melody. Next after the Thrasher 

 and the Mocking-bird, "prince of song," the palm 

 must be awarded to this humble tenant of the shrub- 

 bery for power of mimicry and range of vocalization, 

 as well as for sweetness of execution in singing. It 

 is also entitled to protection and grateful regard on ac- 

 count of the great numbers of injurious insects which 

 it destroys a service to us against which the small 

 quantity of fruit which the Cat-bird steals should 

 be considered no offset. Notwithstanding its musical 

 ability, its harmless and inoffensive disposition, and the 

 benefits it confers upon the agriculturist, the Cat-bird 

 is an object of derision and persecution, as undeserved 

 as it is cruel. It is not easy to account for this subtile 

 yet decided aversion which the bird excites ; but it is 

 like the feeling which many persons have against cats, 

 and is probably occasioned by the mewing, cat-like 

 cry of this incomparable mimic. 



