PASSERES — MERULIDA5 — ORPHEUS. 
09 
THE CAT-BIRD. 
Orpheus carolinensis. 
PLATE XXXIX. FIG. 85 (Male). 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Musticapa carolinensis. Linnaeus, SysJ. Nat. 
Turdus lividus, Cat-bird. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 90, pi. 14, fig. 3. 
T.felivox , Vieillot. Bonaparte, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 75. Audubon, folio, pi. 128; Om. Biog. Vol. 2. 
p. 171, and Vol. 5, p. 410. Nuttall, Manual Orn. Vol. 1, p. 332, figure. 
Orpheusfelivox. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 192. 
The Cat-bird. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 2, p. 195, pi. 140 (male and female). 
Black-capped Thrush , O. carolinensis. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 85. 
Characteristics. Deep slate ; beneath paler. Vent rufous. Crown and tail black. Length, 
9 inches. 
Description. Bill compressed on the sides, with rather an acute ridge above ; the tip 
slightly bent. Notch near the tip, very minute : at the corners of the mouth, 2-4 rigid 
bristles directed forwards. Wings short, from two to two and a half inches shorter than the 
tail. Nostrils basal, nearly closed above by a membrane, and partly concealed by feathers. 
Fourth and fifth primaries subequal, longest. 
Color, as given above : bill black ; feet blackish brown. Occasional piebald varieties 
have been seen. Young: feathers of the vent simply tinged with reddish. 
Length, 9'0. Alar extent, 12-0. 
This familiar bird ranges from Mexico to the 54th degree of north latitude, where it was 
seen by Richardson. It arrives in this State at the beginning or middle of April, according 
to the temperature of the season. It lays 4-5 unspotted greenish eggs. Food, berries, 
worms, wasps and other insects. One of our most useful birds, but usually doomed to per¬ 
secution and death by thoughtless ignorance. Its notes are eminently beautiful, although few 
suppose it capable of emitting any other sound than the harsh and discordant mew which has 
given rise to its trivial name. I see no reason for following the modern writers in altering its 
linnean specific appellation. 
(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 
O.montanus. (Aud. B. of A. pi. 139.) Greyish brown: tips of secondary coverts, edges of quills, 
and a large spot at the end of the three outer tail-feathers, white; light colored beneath, with arrow- 
headed spots. Length, 8 inches. Rocky mountains. 
