OUR FRIENDS, THE BIRDS. 123 
and easily tamed. He has a bad name, and is said to 
destroy the eggs of other birds. His food is similar to 
a Robin’s, and opinion is divided as to whether he 
helps the farmer by destroying insects or hinders him 
by stealing fruit. My own opinion is, that, ike some 
mischievous boys, he has acquired a bad name through 
his love of fun, and desire to have a good time. 
Leander S. Keyser, in his “In Birdland,” gives an 
amusing incident of a Catbird singing with ‘‘a bit of 
paper in its bill, which gave to its tones a peculiar 
resonance. He was one of the choicest minstrels of 
Birdland I have ever heard, his voice being of excellent 
timbre, his tones pure and liquid, and his execution 
almost perfect.” 
The Wren and the Thrasher, who are also noted 
vocalists, are his cousins. His song sometimes resem- 
bles the Red Thrush, but the Catbird has some notes 
that will distinguish it from the song of this bird. 
The essay excited a good deal of discussion. 
Afterward Miss Sweet recited 
A RAIN SONG. 
BY CLINTON SCOLLARD. 
After long days of golden glare, 
How sweet the music of the rain! 
And how ecstatic on the air 
The Catbird’s silvery strain ! 
