THE CAT BIRD. THE AMERICAN ROBIN. 



Cat Bird. 



^ 



Cat Bird. 



Carolina Parrakeets. 



Skylark. 



Next to the Mocking Bird, the Cat Bird is one of the most interesting of the feathered tribes of America. 

 It passes the winter in the southern extremities of the United States, and along the coast of Mexico, 

 from whence, as early as February, they arrive in Georgia. About the middle of April' they are first seen 

 in Pennsylvania, and at length leisurely approach New England, by the close of the first or beginning of 

 the second week in May. They continue their migration also to Canada. The Cat Bird often tunes his 

 cheerful song before the break of day, hopping from bush to bush, with great agility after his insect prey, 

 while yet scarcely distinguishable amidst the dusky shadows of the dawn. The notes of different indi- 

 viduals vary considerably. A quaint sweetness, however, prevails in all his efforts, and his song is fre- 

 quently made up of short and blended imitations of other birds. 



The familiar and welcome Robin is found in summer throughout the North American continent from the 

 desolate regions of Hudson's Bay, in the fifty-third degree to the table land of Mexico ; it is likewise a 

 denizen of the territory of Oregon, on the western base of the Rocky mountains. We listen with peculiar 

 pleasure to the simple song of the Robin. The confidence he reposes in us by making his abode in our 

 gardens and orchards, the frankness and innocence of his manners, besides his vocal powers to please, 

 inspire respect and attachment even in the truant school-boy, and his exposed nest is but rarely molested. 

 He owes, however, this immunity in no small degree to the fortunate name he bears ; as the favorite Robin 

 Redbreast, said to have covered, with a leafy shroud, the lost and wandering "babes in the wood." 



Siskin. 



Robin, or Migrating Thrush. 



