224 Wild Bird Guests 



of which, in the early morning, he sings his 

 wonderful song which so surprises those who 

 know him by his cat-call only. He comes boldly 

 to the food tray, hops lightly about, jauntily 

 flirting his long tail, swallows a ripe raspberry, 

 takes a bite or two of banana, and then pro- 

 ceeds to inspect the bath as if he had never seen 

 it before. He cocks his head first on one side and 

 then on the other, hops into the shallow water, 

 and begins to peck at the shells and pebbles at 

 the bottom. Perhaps he will take one in his bill, 

 and hold it for a moment before dropping it back. 

 Then he goes out into deeper water, and with 

 wings vibrating as though operated by an elec- 

 tric current, takes a thorough bath "all over." 

 When he comes out, he is a sorry-looking object, 

 dripping wet and with tail-feathers stuck to- 

 gether. But apparently he cares nothing for 

 appearances, and proceeds with his toilet forth- 

 with. He shakes himself vigorously, flips his 

 tail from side to side to get rid of the bulk of the 

 water, and then it is surprising how soon, with 

 the aid of his deft bill and a warm sun, he makes 

 himself into a clean fluff^y catbird again. 



Sometimes, toward evening, a bluebird visits 

 the bath, and, after washing himself in a very 

 business-like way, flies ofl^ to a dead tree to 

 preen and dry his feathers. 



