152 WAKE-ROBIN 
amused and sometimes annoyed by the yellow- 
breasted chat. This bird also has something of the 
manners and build of the catbird, yet he is truly an 
original. The catbird is mild and feminine com- 
pared with this rollicking polyglot. His voice is 
very loud and strong and quite uncanny. No sooner 
have you penetrated his retreat, which is usually a 
thick undergrowth in low, wet localities, near the 
woods or in old fields, than he begins his serenade, 
which for the variety, grotesqueness, and uncouth- 
ness of the notes is not unlike a country skimmer- 
ton. If one passes directly along, the bird may 
scarcely break the silence. But pause a while, or 
loiter quietly about, and your presence stimulates 
him to do his best. He peeps quizzically at you 
from beneath the branches, and gives a sharp feline 
mew. In a moment more he says very distinctly, 
who, who. Then in rapid succession follow notes 
the most discordant that ever broke the sylvan si- 
lence. Now he barks like a puppy, then quacks 
like a duck, then rattles like a kingfisher, then 
squalls like a fox, then caws like a crow, then mews 
like a cat. Now he calls as if to be heard a long 
way off, then changes his key, as if addressing the 
spectator. Though very shy, and carefully keeping 
himself screened when you show any disposition to 
get a better view, he will presently, if you remain 
quiet, ascend a twig, or hop out on a branch in 
plain sight, lop his tail, droop his wings, cock his 
head, and become very melodramatic. In less than 
half a minute he darts into the bushes again, and 
