AMERICA N ORNITHOLOGY. 



295 



open country either in the immediate vicinity of mankind or in local- 

 ities which are seldom visited by human beings. They are one of the 

 few birds which are seldom nicknamed, and which have few local 

 names. The reason for this is that everyone, even if unacquainted 

 with the species, will after hearing their song, ever after call them 

 Catbirds. They have a certain call which they sometimes utter when 

 angry or again may utter it right in the midst of their song; it does not 

 take a very imaginative brain to liken this call to the mewing of a cat; 

 hence, the name will always be associated with them. 





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ON HER NEST. 



Although their dress iS; sombre and, gray they seem to be very proud 

 and always wish to invite attention to themselves. Their manners are 

 very impetuous and excitable; one instant they will be amiable, quietly 

 hopping about the underbrush looking for their insect fare, the next 

 they will be as angry as its possible for a bird to be, scolding and darting 

 at you as though they would annihilate you, were it possible. Com- 

 bined with their excitable nature, they have the most highly developed 

 bump of curiosity of any birds that I know. Of course all birds are 



