The Brown Thrasher and Its Relatives 297 



along streams, and in the 

 shrubbery and fruit trees 

 about many houses. The 

 call that gives rise to their 

 name does not show their 

 full vocal power. Have you 

 ever heard their rich song? 

 It is not so loud as that of 

 the brown thrasher, but is 

 fully as melodious. Do they 

 perch in prominent places 

 when they sing? 



The food of the catbird. 

 Catbirds are not so useful 

 as brown thrashers in de- 

 stroying harmful insects. 

 Half of their food consists of 

 fruit; they eat cultivated 

 cherries, strawberries, rasp- 

 berries, and blackberries in 



large quantities. Nevertheless, in most parts of the 

 country they probably do as much good as harm. They 

 belong to the same family as the brown thrasher and 

 mocking bird. What resemblances have they ? 



Of the catbird Olive Thorne Miller writes : " The cat- 

 bird is generous and helpful to others of his kind in trouble 

 of any sort, feeding and caring for deserted or orphaned 

 young ones of any species, and always ready to aid dis- 

 tracted parents in the defense of their home and little 

 ones. He is very playful, full of droll pranks and quaint 

 performances." 



Joseph H. Dodson 



FIG. 181. Cat guard on tree. 

 These are very useful for protect- 

 ing the homes of birds that nest 

 in trees and shrubbery close to 

 houses. 



