244 , THE CAT-BIRD. 



sweet undulations of oiir various woodland choristers, delivered with apparent caution and 

 with all the attention and softness necessary to enable the performer to please the ear of its 

 mate. Each cadence passes on without faltering, and if yoii are acquainted with the songs 

 of the birds he so sweetly imitates, you are sure to recognize the manner of the different 

 species." 



The Cat-Bird {Galeoscoptes carolinensis) is one of the most common of native American 

 birds, but is singularly shy, or retiring. It is known to all the countryside by its peculiar 

 notes. Both sexes have the habit, besides the usual note, which is like that of the thrushes, 

 of producing notes like those of a cat in mewing. It is one of the first spring visitors. Like 

 the robin, it is fond of human society. It breeds in the Northern States. To a certain extent 

 the Cat-Bird is a mocker. It is particularly abundant in Central Park. We have heard 

 several uttering hoarse, cracked sounds, as if trying to imitate some extraordinary voices. 



Wilson, whose kindly feelings are always on the side of oiu' birds, thus defends the 

 Cat-Bird :— 



" With all his amiable qualities, few people in the country respect the Cat-Bird. On the 

 contrary, it is generally an object of dislike, and the boys of the United States entertain the 

 same prejudice and contempt for the bird, its nest and young, as those of Britain do for the 

 Yellow Hammer. * * * But with the generous and the good, the lovers of natiire and 

 of rural charms, the confidence which this familiar bird places in man, by building in his 

 garden under his eye, the music of his song, and the interesting playfulness of his manners, 

 will always be more than a recompense for all the little stolen morsels he has taken." 



It is a most lively and withal petulant bird in a wild state, performing the most grotesque 

 manoeuvres, and being so filled with curiosity that it follows any strange being through the 

 woods as if irresistibly attracted by some magnetic charm. In its disposition the Cat- Bird 

 appears to be one of the most sensitively affectionate birds on the face of the earth, as will 

 appear from the following interesting account of a pet Cat-Bird, called General Bem : — 



" Well, General Bem went home with us at once, and was immediately given his liberty, 

 which he made use of by peering into every closet, examining and dragging everything from 

 its proper place, which he could manage, pecking and squalling, dashing hither and thither, 

 until at night he quietly went into his cage as if he was nearly or quite positive that he must 

 commence a new career on the morrow ; it was evident that he had to begin the world over 

 again, yet, as he was not superannuated, and was, mrhal, ambitious, his case was still not a 

 desperate one, although we had assured him most positively that we would not fall in love 

 with him — we had only invited him there to help us pass the time. 



" Bem looked wise at the assertion, but said nothing. The next morning we gave him 

 water for a bath, which he immediately used, and then sprang upon my head, very much to 

 my surprise ; then he darted to the window, then back to my head, screaming all the time 

 most vociferously, until finally I went to the window, for peace' sake, and stood in the sun- 

 shine, while Bem composedly dressed his feathers, standing on my head first on one foot, then 

 on the other, evidently using my scalp as a sort of foot-stone, and my head as a movable 

 pedestal for his impiident generalship to perch on when he felt disposed to be comfortably 

 elevated ; and had clearly come to the conclusion — as I was so fond of transporting him from 

 his native land — that I should serve as a convenient craft to bear him where his moods com- 

 manded. 



"■ In a word, he had detei-mined to turn tyrant ; if I had had the deliberate purpose of using 

 him as a mere toy, he had at least the coolness to make me available, and from that time I 

 became the victim of the most unequalled tyranny. Did I neglect his morning bath beyond 

 the instant, my ears were assailed with screams and cries, till I was forced to my duty ; I must 

 bear him into the sunshine, or my hair was pulled ; I must bring him his breakfast, or he 

 pecked my cheek and lips ; in fine, I was compelled to become his constant attendant, while in 

 the meantime he most diligently assailed my heart by endearing confidences. He would sit 



