182 USEFUL BIRDS. 
Quail and some of the notes of the Wood Thrush, together 
with those of many other birds, given by the Catbird. It 
may not be generally known that this bird, like many other 
species, often sings in a very low tone when it believes that 
danger is near. In October it sometimes repeats its spring 
fu 
Fig. 60.— Catbird, one-half natural size. 
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song so softly that it seems to come from far away when 
uttered within a few feet of the hearer. The bird’s moods 
are many. It is in turn a merry jester, a fine musician, a 
mocking sprite, and a screaming termagant, but always an 
interesting study, and never prosaic or mediocre. 
No doubt the Catbird is useful, as it fills, in moist thickets, 
a place similar to that taken by its relative the Thrasher on 
the drier lands. Unfortunately, however, the poor bird has 
acquired a bad reputation. It is accused of sucking the eggs 
of other birds and destroying much fruit. The first charge 
must be dismissed as not proven, but the second is sustained 
by good evidence. Dr. Judd reports on the examination of 
two hundred and thirteen stomachs, from Florida to Kansas 
and Massachusetts. He finds that three per cent. of the food 
consists of carnivorous wasps and bees; spiders are also 
eaten; but the destruction of useful insects is more than 
made up for by the number of weevils, plant-feeding bugs, 
