5G WEST VIRGINIA. [W. VA. 



learn the real difference between the true Mockingbird and those 

 species with which it is often confused. 



Geog. Dist. Southern United States. 



AY. Va. Dist. Extremely rare in the northern part of the state. 

 Occasionally seen in the southern parts of West Virginia. 



Xest In thickets. 



Food So much has been said of the song of this species that one 

 does not often think of its food. Weed and Dearborn say. "Its 

 food appears to be much like that of the other thrushes, consisting 

 of about equal portions of insects and various wild and cultivated 

 fruits. The young appear to be fed chiefly upon insects, among 

 which the moth of the cotton-boll-worm deserves special mention.'' 



704. Catbird (Dumatella carolitiensis). Male and female, 



Geog. Dist. Eastern United States and British Provinces. 



W. Va. Dist. An abundant species in all parts of the state. 

 Found along streams, even hi<rh up in the mountains. 



Xest In thickets or in trees of thick foliage. Eggs, three 1 :> 

 five, dark greenish blue. 



Food Often destroys much fruit, and yet the species is not 

 altogether harmful. It has been suggested that the planting ,, 

 wild fruit trees or such varieties as the Russian mulberry will pro- 

 tect the finer cultivated varieties from these fruit-loving birds. 

 Weed and Dearborn say, "We have no doubt that, on the whole, tho 

 benefit which it does is much greater than the harm, and iis destruc- 

 tion should never be permitted except when necessary to save 

 precious crops." 



705. Brown Thrasher (Hari.onjHcliHx rnfus). Male and female, 

 adults. Often called "Mockingbird"' or "French Mockingbird.'' 



Geog. Dist. Eastern United States, north to Maine. 



W. Va.' Dist. Very common in the less elevated parts of tho 

 state. 



Xest In heaps of brush, thickets, or on an old rail fence. Uarely 

 on the ground. Breeds abundantly in this section. 



Food Eats wild and cultivated fruits. A great destroyer oP 

 insects of many kinds. A vcrv beneficial bird. 







718. Carolina. Wren (ThrtjoiJiorus ludoviciaiius}. Male and 

 female. A fine songster, as are all the wrens. 



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