Nests in Treesy Bushes, or Vines^ 



'7(5^. IWocking-bird : Mimus polygioltos (Linn.) 



AduH—Upper parts bluish or ashy gray ; tinder parts buflfy of 

 grayish white. 



Imrnatyr^ birdg have, the, breast and sides spotted. 



Length — 10.50. , ; , 



breeding Range — From southern Illinois and Ne\y Jersey, (rarely 

 ' Massachiisetts) southwaird. 



• The nest is built of tWigs,' strips of bark, fine roots, weeds, 

 and sometimes rags ; the lining is of feathers, hair, and fine roots. 

 It is placed either in a tangle of undergrowth or in trees such as 

 the orange, cedar, v/ater Oak, etc. The eggs are pale green or 

 buflfy gray, with spdts iind blotches of reddish or yellowish 

 browrl. Size— 195 x .70. See Fig. 18, Plate D. 



So well known is the Mocking-bird as a songster that tut 

 little need be said of it here. The young are easily reared, but 

 my experience leads rne to believe that they are not easily tamed ;' 

 those that I have had were nervous and rather wild, and never' 

 cared to be handled even when quite young. I arh rather sur- 

 prised to see that Certain writers speak of the immature mock- 

 ing-bird as being similar to the adults. All those that I have 

 reared have kept the spots on the breast until almost four months 

 old.' The breeding Season begins earfy in May, and severar 

 broods are reared. 



704. Catbird : Galeoscoptes carolinensis (Linn.) 



AduK—Xipptr parts 'dark slaty gray ; crown and tail dull black ; 

 under parts slaty gray ; under tail coverts bright chestnut. 



. Length^^8..95.. - - 



Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States. 



The nest is ragged but Well made of sticks, leaves, fine roots, 

 weeds, grass, strips of bark, and lined chiefly with fine roots. 

 It is placed in Ipriers or low biishes,, usually. ngt more. than abottt: 

 seven feet from the ground. The eggs, 3 to 5 in number, are 

 rather dark, greenish blpe- ,Si2e--.95, x ,70., Seepig.9, Plate D. 



These well-named and well-known birds rank .high in, the, 

 list of our songsters ; their song, which, though small in volume, 

 is full of sweetness,.may be .heard at almo&t any time of day 



167 . 



