21 S cassell's book of birds. 



Yet he is not easily discouraged, but seems to study certain passages with great perseverance, uttering 

 them at first low, and, as he succeeds, higher and more freely, nowise embarrassed by the presence of 

 a spectator even within a few yards of him. On attentively listening for some time, one can perceive 

 considerable variety in his performance, in which he seems to introduce all the odd sounds and quaint 

 passages he has been able to collect. Upon the whole, though we cannot arrange him with the grand 

 leaders of our vernal choristers, he well merits a place among the most agreeable general performers. 



" In spring or summer, on approaching a thicket of brambles, the first salutation you receive is 

 from the Cat Bird ; and a stranger, unacquainted with its note, would conclude that some vagrant 

 orphan kitten had got bewildered in the briars, and wanted assistance, so exactly does the call of the 

 bird sometimes resemble the voice of that animal. 



"In passing through the woods in summer, I have sometimes amused myself with imitating 

 the violent chirping or squeaking of young birds, in order to observe what different species were 

 around me ; for such sounds, at such a season, in the woods, are no less alarming to the feathered 

 tenants of the bushes than the cry of fire or murder in the streets is to the inhabitants of a large 

 and populous city. On such occasions of alarm and consternation, the Cat Bird is the first to make 

 his appearance, not singly, but sometimes half a dozen at a time, flying from different quarters to the 

 spot. At this time those who are disposed to play with his feelings may almost throw him into fits, 

 his emotion and agitation are so great at the distressful cries of what he supposes to be his suffering 

 young. Other birds are variously affected, but none show symptoms of such extreme suffering. He 

 hurries backwards and forwards, with hanging wings and open mouth, calling out louder and faster, 

 and actually screaming with distress, till he appears hoarse with his exertions. He attempts no 

 offensive means, but he bewails, he implores, in the most pathetic terms with which Nature has supplied 

 him, and with an agony of feeling which is truly affecting. Every feathered neighbour within 

 hearing hastens to the place, to learn the cause of the alarm, peeping about with looks of consternation 

 and sympathy ; but their own duties and domestic concerns soon oblige each to withdraw. At any- 

 other season the most perfect imitations have no effect whatever on him." 



The BABBLERS, or NOISY THRUSHES (Timalix), constitute a very numerous race, 

 inhabiting Africa, Southern Asia, and other portions of the eastern hemisphere. The members of 

 this family are in many respects nearly allied to the birds above described, but are recognisable 

 by their compact body, short, rounded wings, in which the fourth or fifth quill is the longest ; a 

 moderate-sized, broad-feathered, and more or less rounded tail, powerful foot, and comparatively 

 strong, compressed beak, slightly bent at the tip of the upper mandible. The plumage is unusually 

 lax, and of a dusky hue. 



These birds frequent tracts of brushwood or underwood in extensive forests or cane districts, and 

 subsist upon the insects, snails, worms, fruits, and berries that abound in their favourite localities. 

 All are active, restless, and social in their habits, although they rarely assemble in large flocks, and 

 are invariably extremely noisy. Only a few possess good voices. Their powers of flight are by no 

 means great, and rarely enable them to rise as high as the summits of the trees ; but they exhibit 

 remarkable agility in skipping in and out amidst the densest foliage. 



THE GREY BIRD. 



The Grey Bird (Pyownotus arsinoe) represents a group whose principal characteristics are 



their middle-sized but strong and slightly-curved beak, powerful foot, moderately long wings, in which 



the fifth quill is the longest, and somewhat rounded tail. The plumage is lax, and generally, with 



the exception of the lower tail-covers, of dull appearance. The Grey Bird is about seven and a half 



