68 THE CAT BIRD. 



that of the ferruginous thrush. A quaintness, however, pre- 

 vails in all his efforts, and his song is frequently made up of 

 short and blended imitations of other birds, given however, 

 with great emphasis, melody, and variety of tone ; and, like 

 the nightingale, invading the hours of repose, in the late 

 twilight of a summer's evening, when scarce another note is 

 heard but the hum of the drowsy beetle, his music attains its 

 full effect, and often rises and falls with all the swell and 

 studied cadence of finished harmony. During the heat of 

 the day, or late in the morning, the variety of his song 

 declines, or he pursues his employment in silence and 

 retirement." 



About the dawn of day, if at large, the cat bird flirts about with 

 affected wildness, repeatedly jerks his wings and tail, with a 

 noise somewhat resembling a whip, stretching forth his head, 

 opens his mouth, and mews. Sometimes this curious cry is so 

 guttural as to be uttered without opening his bill. He often 

 also gives a squeal as he flies from one place to another. 



According to Latham, this bird is also capable of imitating 

 the variable airs of instrumental music, and will sometimes 

 mimick the cry of chickens so as to deceive and distress the 

 parent hen. When reared from the nest, he is easily domes- 

 ticated, becomes a very amusing companion, and seems 

 attached to his cage. Although a pleasant songster, he is 

 seldom kept in confinement, and I believe all attempts at 

 breeding it, have failed. 



FOOD AND MANAGEMENT. 



The natural food of this species is similar to that of the 

 ferruginous thrush, consisting principally of insects and 

 worms, particularly beetles and wasps, and the various kinds 

 of garden fruits. 



In confinement, the food of these birds may be almost 

 everything that is vegetable, except unbruised seeds, such as 

 bread, fine pastry, containing little or no spices, cakes, 



«sS 



