54 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



in the construction of the nest; iiuii as incubation progresses ihe female, who 

 rarely leaves tlie nest, is supplied with i'ood, and entertaiueil from liis ex- 

 haust less vocal lulary of souj;, by lier mate. When annoyed by an intruder 

 the cry of the Catbird is loud, harsh, and unplea.sant, and is supposcvl to 

 resemble the outcry of a cat, and to this it owes its name. This note it 

 reiterates at the approach of any object of its dislike or fear. 



The food of tiie Catbird is almost exclusively the larva; of the larger 

 insects. For these it searches both among the branches and tlie fallen 

 leaves, as well as the furrows of newly ploughed fields and cultivated gar- 

 dens. The benefit it thus confers ujwn the farmer and the horticulturist 

 is very great, and can hardly be overestimated. 



The Catliird can witli proper jiainstaking be raised from the nest, and 

 when this is successfully accomj)lished they become perfectly domesticated, 

 and are very amusing pets. 



They construct their nests on clusters of vines or low bushes, on the 

 edges of small thickets, and in retired [)laces, though almost always near 

 cultivated giound. Tiie usual materials of their nests are dry leaves for the 

 base, slender strips of h)ng dry bUrk, small twigs, herl)ac(,jus ])lants, fine 

 roots, and finer stems. They are lined with fine dry grasses, and sedges. 

 Their nests average 4 inches in height 1)y 5 in diametei'. The diameter and 

 dejjth of the ca\ity are 3\ inches. The eggs are of a uniform deep bluish- 

 green, and measure .'J~ in length and .09 of an inch in breadth. 



