276 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 



of delicious melody, in bewildering variations, one is tempted 

 to declare that no mockingbird can surpass it. It is simply 

 indescribable. Often when sadly toiling in Iowa fields, I 

 have been stopped and held by this feathered spellbinder for 

 what seemed to my brothers like very long intervals. 



In form this bird is very much like the mockingbird, but 

 its back is colored a rich iron-rust brown, and its under sur- 

 face is dull white, strongly spotted with large, triangular 

 brown spots. Its home is the whole of the United States east 

 of the Rocky Mountains, and it is the sweetest singer of the 

 North. Unfortunately, its song period is rather short, and 

 terminates about the end of June. 



The Catbird 1 of the North bears a strong resemblance 

 to the mockingbird, in form, color and movement. It is 

 also a good singer, though hardly in the same class as its 

 southern relative. It is very sociable in its habits, and loves 

 the orchards, gardens, fruit trees and berry bushes of the 

 country dweller. Its name is derived from its favorite ex- 

 clamatory cry, which sounds like the plaintive mew of a half- 

 grown kitten. Its prevailing color is dark slaty -gray. 



The Mockingbird, 2 of the states south of the Ohio 

 River, is a singing wonder. It is a little bundle of nerves, 

 covered with modest drab feathers, and its throat is tuned 

 up to concert pitch. When it is silent it can be recognized 

 by its slender body, long legs and long tail; but when it is 

 singing only a deaf man needs an introduction. This bird 

 can also be recognized by its nervous and irregular move- 



1 (ial-e-os-cop'tes carolinensis. Length, 8.75 inches. 



2 Mi'mus pol-y-glot'tos. Length, about 10 inches. 



