PEECflERS: CREEPEES, NUTHATCHES, &c. 79 



The Cat-Bird, of the Northern States, is smaller than 

 the robin, and of a dark color, and in spring and the 

 early part of summer its song is very mellow and sweet. 

 Like its relative, it easily imitates the notes of other 

 birds, and may be properly called the Mocking-Bird of 

 the North. President Hill, of Harvard College, states 

 that, having whistled, a strain of Yankee Doodle two 

 or three times in the presence of this bird, it imitated 

 him perfectly. In the latter part of summer its notes 

 are very harsh and disagreeable, sounding like the yawl 

 of a cat. 



Wrens are small birds, about the size of the War- 

 blers. The Carolina Wren is one 

 of the largest. It is reddish- 

 brown. The House Wren de- 

 lights in being near the habita^ 

 tions of man, and often makes its 

 nest in a hole in the timbers or 

 walls. The Winter Wren is one 



of the smallest, and of a brownish 



1 Tj. • i.- J Fig. 129. — Winter Wren, 



color. It IS very active, and may ^ 



be seen in twenty attitudes in the course of a minute. 



CEEEPERS, NUTHATCHES, AM) CHICKADEES. 

 Creepers and Nuthatches are very small birds, which 

 may be seen in North America at all seasons of the 

 year, running along the trunks and branches of trees, 

 and looking, at a little distance, much like little Wood- 

 peckers. The American Creeper is light brown, with 

 lighter streaks. The White-bellied Nuthatch is blue, 

 with the under parts white, and the top of the head and 

 neck black. The Red-bellied Nuthatch is a smaller spe- 

 cies, and has the under parts rod. Both kinds attach 



