84 Twelve Months With 



Unto whom two notes are given, 

 One of earth, and one of heaven, 

 Were it not a shameful tale 

 That the earth note should prevail?"* 



The catbird is a motherly, generous bird, often 

 playing the part of a foster parent, feeding and 

 caring for the young birds of other species that 

 have been deserted or are neglected by their right- 

 ful parents. Unlike his serene, reposeful cousins, 

 the thrushes, he has a restless, active tempera- 

 ment, always hopping and jerking his graceful 

 body about, all the while fluffing his feathers, and 

 indulging himself in droll pranks and sprightly 

 performances. 



Mr. William Henry Venable's remarkable 

 poem, in which all the art of this bird's wonderful 

 song, as well as his characteristic movements are 

 so vividly portrayed, must be quoted in full : 



"Prime cantante! 

 Scherzo ! Andante 1 

 Piano, pianissimo! 

 Presto, prestissimo ! 



Hark! are there nine birds or ninety and nine? 

 And now a miraculous gurgling gushes 

 Like nectar from Hebe's Olympian bottle, 

 The laughter of tune from a rapturous throttle ! 

 Such melody must be a hermit-thrush's ! 

 But that other caroler, nearer, 

 Out rivalling rivalry with clearer 



* Anon. 



