on some Canadian Birds.



349



A little further on a small party of Cat Birds were also in

search of sleeping quarters, making' a ferocious din which at first

had puzzled me not a little. As it was now too dark to see I

reluctantly turned home, determined to renew my exploration the

following morning, which I did, and very lovely it was. The air

so fresh, the sun so bright, the best time in these southern latitudes.

The first thing I heard was the old familiar notes of the Scarlet

Cardinal “whit, whit, whit, chow, chow, chow.” I soon saw a fine

male bird amorously flying' after the hen, but she did not seem the

least attracted, possibly thinking more of her grown-up sons and

daughters than of her husband. I imitated his song' and lie was

furious, alighting in the tree just over my head, looking beautiful,

tail stretched out and crest moving up and down. He was not

going to put up with what he thought was another cock Cardinal,

but I stood my ground although simply charged at. Moving' a little

onwards I heard some bird turning over the leaves, so crept quietly

and beheld a brown Thrasher (Tonostoma rufum) searching for

worms in the true Thrush-like way ; these Mock-Thrushes have a

longer and more hooked bill than the true Turdidce, and are highly

appreciated by Uncle Sam for their song.


Returning to the road I saw another Thrush feeding, which

was either a Wood or Wilson’s, I could not quite make out, possibly

a Wood Thrush, as it was well-marked with spots on the breast.

Wandering along I came across a fresh spring in a dell surrounded

with brambles, and this was simply a bird paradise; all around was

a perfect chorus of Song Sparrows, their notes sweet and melancholy.

A large brown Warbler kept about the spring, Swainson’s Warbler

{Helinaia swainsonii) a good imitation of our Reed Warbler. The

chipping Sparrows were also numerous here, and as I remained

quiet, two birds flew into a tree over my head : brown and about

the size of Mistletoe Thrushes. I could not think what they were,

but on studying' their motions it dawned on me that they were

Cuckoos: on closer inspection I recognised them as the Yellow¬

billed Cuckoo ; most graceful creatures. As they hopped about they

caught the moths that they themselves disturbed.


I returned for supper to the Kiosk, around which there were

boxes of Cannas and Geraniums; whilst refreshing the inner man



