TROGLODYTID^ — THE WRENS AND MOCKING-THRUSUES. 107 



tion of the tarsal plates ; and but for the difference in coloration 

 (uniform plumbeous, instead of gray above and white beneath), we 

 would hardly be inclined to distinguish the two generically. 



"The single species known is lead-colored, with black cap, and 

 chestnut-red under tail-coverts." {HUt. N. Am. B.) 



Galeoscoptes carolinensis (Linn.) 



CATBIRD. 



Popular synonym.— English Mocking-bird (Virginia). 

 Musoicapa carolinensis LiNN. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 328. 

 (hvheus carolinensis AuD. Synop. Ki'i, 88; B. Am. ii, 1841, 1!)5. pi. UO. 

 Mimus carolinensis "Gray" Scl. P. Z. S. ISoii, !-'91.— Baird. B. N. Am. 1858, 3(6; Cat. N. 

 Am. B. 18511, No. 254.— CouES, Key, 1873, 74; Cliaeli; List. 1873. No. 9; 2d ed. 1881. No. 10. 

 B. N. W. 1874, 8; B. Col. Val. 1878, 5|-. 

 Galeoscoptes caroline7isis Caban. Mus. Hein. i, 1850, 82.— Baied, Review, ISdt, 54.— B. B. 

 & R. Hist. N. Am. B. 1. 1871, 52. pi. 3. Bg. 5.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, Fo. 12. 

 Tardus lividis Wils. Am. Orn. ii, ISlo, HO, pi. 14, tig. 3. 

 Turdas feliuoz Vieill. Oi.s. Am. Sept. ii, 1807, 10, pi. 07. 

 Urpheus felivox Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. ii, 1831, 192. 



Hab, Eastern North America, north to about lat. 54° In the interior; west to. and in- 

 cluding, the Kocky Mountains, and along the northi^rn boundary extending to Ort-gon 

 and Washington Terr. Winters from the Southern States south to Panama; Cuba; 

 Bermudas. 



Sp. Chab. AduU: Uniform plumbeous-slate, lighter below: pileum dull black, or 

 brownish black, abruptly defined laterally, but anteriorly and posteriorly gradually 

 blending into the dark grayish or slaty of the forehead and nape— the former often with a 

 smoky brown tinge. Tail uniform slate-black, the under surface of the lateral rectriees 

 with the outer web and tip of inner web sometimes grayish, the inner web occasionally 

 indistinctly barred with the same. Crissum chestnut, the feathers slaty beneath the sur- 

 face. Bill jet black; iris deep brown; legs and feet black, the soles of the toes olive- 

 yellowish. Toimg: Similar to the adult, but blackish of pileum less distinct, and lacking 

 sharp definition laterally, lower parts very faintly mottled, transversely, with darker, and 

 slightly tinged with brownish (as are also the upper parts), the crlssum dull light rusty 

 brownish. 



Mal^: Total length, about 8.70-9.00 Inches: extent, 11.00-11.50; wing, 3.45-3.75; tail, 3 70- 

 4.25: eulmen, .C5-.75; tarsus, 1.05-1.15. Female, averaging a little smaller. 



The Catbird and its habits are too well known to require extended 

 mention in this work. Like a candidate for political honors, he is 

 a rascal and reprobate of the " first water " to some, but the pink 

 of perfection to others. He is, indeed, a bird of varied qualities, 

 which show in different lights, according to the personal predilec- 

 tions or prejudices of the individual who is expressing an opinion 

 respecting his merits or demerits. 



One of our most familiar birds, and one which should rank in our 

 affections along with the Bluebird and Robin, is the Catbird. But 

 unfortunately he is the subject of very general prejudice, not merely 



