122 OUR FRIENDS, THE BIRDS. 
only unpleasant feature of the Catbirds. To atone for 
this harsh note they have a low “whisper song” about the 
nest, that is remarkably sweet and musical. Whether 
it is the mother-bird’s lullaby song, or her mate’s house- 
hold words of love, in minor keys, is not known. 
I have read about the Catbird in several books on 
birds, and I find that authorities differ concerning his 
character. John B. Grant, in his little book on “Our 
Common Birds, and How to Know Them,” says, “The 
bird is really a handsome one, but, owing to its skulk- 
ing habits, aad the unsocial manner in which it resents 
inspection, scarcely a favorite;” while William Everett 
Cram, in “Bird Land Echoes” says, “Do one thing 
well and perfection is expected in all directions, yet 
who among men and which of the birds has ever 
reached this high degree? The Catbird has reasons 
for not singing in August, and for what we interpret as 
complaining instead. It is none of our business. We 
are wholly unreasonable. ‘There is enough sweetness 
in the May-day orchard song of the bird tg remain with 
us a delightful recollection until May-day comes again, 
and for this we should be thankful.’’? It seems to me 
that few people ever remember, either in birds or chil- 
dren, the pleasant words and actions, when for any 
reason they appear peevish and unreasonable. 
The Catbird occasionally stays all winter, al- 
though he usually goes south, returning in early May. 
Its cat-like cry is sometimes tiresome, but, from my 
own observation, I consider him a very interesting bird 
