20 BIRDS THROUGH AN OPERA-GLASS. 



is lie in sober earnest when he tries to mimic the 

 inimitable Wilson's thrush? If a wag he is a 

 success, for he deceives the unguarded into believ- 

 ing him a robin, a cat, and "a bird new to 

 science ! " How he must chuckle over the enthu- 

 siasm which hails his various notes and the bewil- 

 derment and chagrin that come to the diligent 

 observer who finally catches a glimpse of the gar- 

 rulous mimic ! 



The catbird builds his nest as he d'oes every- 

 thing else. The loose mass of coarse twigs patched 

 up with pieces of newspaper or anything he hap- 

 pens to fancy, looks as if it would hardly bear his 

 weight. He lines it, however, with fine bits of 

 brown and black roots, and when the beautiful 

 dark green eggs are laid in it, you feel sure that 

 such an artistic looking bird must enjoy the con- 

 trasting colors. 



VI. 



KEEL -TAILED BLACKBIRD; CROW BLACKBIRD; 

 BRONZED GRACKLE. 



LOWELL gives this bird the first place in the 

 calendar. He says : 



" Fust come the blackbirds clatt'rin' in tall trees, 

 And settlin' things in windy Congresses, 

 Queer politicians, though, for I '11 be skinned 

 If all on 'em don't head against the wind." 



In spite of all that may be brought up in Grand 



