OUR SONG BIRDS 69 
II.—OUR SONG BIRDS. 
BY BROTHER ALPHONSUS, C. S. C. 
CATBIRD. 
Dumetella carolinensis. 
The Catbird, I think, may be placed next to the Brown- 
Thrasher as a songster. But it often mars its singing by intro- 
ducing a cat-like call. Sometimes, however, the bird will sing 
without a discord. ‘The catbird is an accomplished mimic, and 
often imitates other birds’ notes to a nicety. 
INDIGO Brrp. 
Passerina cyanea. 
Among the sweetest of all our song birds ‘is this beautiful 
little blue bird. During the hot days of July, when most other 
birds are seldom heard, this charming songster will sing almost 
continuously, at the edge of some wood. The song gradually 
ceases towards the middle of August. 
BROWN THRASHER. 
Toxostoma rufum. 
The Brown Thrasher is our finest song bird. On its arrival, 
sometimes as early as April 10, the bird begins to sing. Perched 
in a tree top and in full view of the observer, the Thrasher will 
pour forth melody that, for richness and variety, is unsurpassed 
by any other of our birds. The Thrasher stops singing about 
the first of July. 
BLUEBIRD. 
Sialia sialis. 
The first note of early spring is the sweet warble of the Blue- 
bird. The last week of February is sure not to pass without the 
arrival of the first Bluebirds, whose soft call-notes are heard 
as the birds fly or rest at the edge of some wood. A few days later, 
the Bluebirds’ notes fill the fresh spring air. 
BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 
Icterus galbula. 
The loud, whistling notes of the Baltimore Oriole are very 
- conspicuous in May and June. Feeding in the tree tops, the bird 
will often stop to utter one or more of its rich notes. There is 
