CHAPTER XIV 



The Cat-bird: Galeoscoptes Caroliniensis 



IN THICKETS 



" GUESS what, I have for you," 

 commanded Bob. 



"Nest of a Ha-ha bird," I ventured. 

 "Ha, ha! Nests of forty other 

 birds," he retorted. 



I stood staring. Seyeral days be- 

 fore I had confided to Bob that I was 

 in trouble. I had accepted a position 

 on the staff of an outing magazine, 

 contracting to furnish, during the en- 



YOUNG CAT-BIRD suingyear, at least nine natural-history, 



articles, each illustrated with from 



four to ten studies of birds. At the time of making that con- 

 tract I had only four pictures suitable for use. So I appealed 

 to him to watch closer than usual as he passed from well to 

 well beside the river; and to mark every nest he saw for me. 

 This was the answer the answer big as the great heart of Bob. 

 My spirits bounded. Forty nests! Why, from them material 

 could be secured to last me three years. 

 "Bob! What kinds?" I cried. 



"Oh, Robins, Gat-birds, Cuckoos, Larks, Doves, Redbirds, 

 Jays, Red-winged Blackbirds, and a lot of little fine stuff of which 

 I don't know the names." 



187 



