Aves. 



241 



a different family, it resembles the brown thrush in hav- 

 ing a tawny back and a light-colored breast, with brown 

 spots, the tail being shorter than that of the brown thrush. 

 The mocking bird is more southern, occurring mainly 

 south of the latitude of the mouth of the Ohio River. The 

 nuthatch and chickadee remain through the winter, as they 

 feed on insects found beneath the bark of trees. The nut- 

 hatch has the climbing habits of a woodpecker, but its 



FIG. 146. BLUE JAY. 



From Grinnell's Our Feathered Friends. 



toes are arranged as in perchers. It is not excelled as a 

 climber, going sideways or head downward, as well as up- 

 ward. Among the highest in development of all birds is 

 the bluebird, which, unfortunately, is growing rare in the 

 Central states, especially about towns, where it was formerly 

 common. Perhaps no bird ranks higher in its general 

 organization than that bird so dear to every American 

 child, the robin. 



