376 RELATIONS OF BIRDS TO AGRICULTURE 



from the fact that it eats some injurious insects, the cat-bird will 

 doubtless continue to be protected, except in cases of particularly 

 flagrant destructiveness. Figure 376 is an excellent illustration 

 of the species. 



The Brown Thrush or Brown Thrasher. The illustration here 

 given (Fig. 377) is sufficient to enable us to recognize this very 

 common bird of our thickets and fields. The bird is rufous brown 

 above, with black spots on a white ground below. Its colors 



FIG. 377. Brown thrush. (After Fuertes.) 



and conspicuously long tail make it a notable object when it 

 seeks a prominent position on a lofty branch, preparatory to 

 singing. 



Its song, while .striking, w i\\ no t compare, we believe, with 

 those of the wood thrush or Wilson thrush, nor with that of the 

 cat-bird. One of its chief charms, perhaps, lies in the fact that 

 it is an accompaniment of the welcome spring weather. We have 

 been so struck by the little rhyme credited to " Olive" in " Citizen 

 Bird," which certainly is very descriptive of its habits and song, 

 that we venture to repeat it here; 



