332 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



thrill through the dropping woods, from morning to night ; and it 

 may truly be said that the sadder the day the sweeter is his song. 



The favourite haunts of this species are low, thick-shaded hol- 

 lows, through which a small brook or rill meanders, overhung with 

 alder bushes that are mantled with vines. He delights to trace the 

 irregular windings of the brook, where by the luxuriance of foliage 

 the sun is completely shut out, or only plays in a few interrupted 

 beams on the glittering surface of the water. . Near such a scene he 

 generally builds his nest, in a laurel, or alder bush ; the eggs are from 

 four to five, of an uniform light blue, without any spots. 



The common Robin is one of our earliest songsters ; even in March, 

 while the snow yet dapples the fields, and flocks of them are dispers- 

 ed about, some few will mount a post or stake of the fence, and make 

 short and frequent attempts at their song. This song has some 

 resemblance to the notes of the Thrasher or Ferruginous Thrush ; 

 but if deficient in point of execution, he possesses more simplicity, 

 and makes up in zeal what he wants in talent. The notes of the 

 Robin are the prelude to the grand general concert, that is about 

 to burst upon us from the woods, fields and thickets, whitened with 

 blossoms, and breathing fragrance. 



The Cat-bird is one of our earliest morning songsters, beginning 

 generally before break of day, and hovering from bush to bush with 

 great sprightliness, when there is scarce light sufficient to distin- 

 guish him. His notes are more remarkable for singularity than for 

 melody. They consist of short imitations of other birds, and other 

 sounds ; but his pipe being rather deficient in clearness and strength 

 of tone, his imitations fail where these are requisite. Upon the whole, 

 though we cannot arrange him with the grand leaders of our vernal 

 choristers, yet he well merits a place among the most agreeable 

 general performers. This bird has derived its name from the cir- 

 cumstance of its common note resembling the mewing of a cat. 



Cardinal Grosbeak. This is one of our most common cage birds ; 

 and is very generally known, not only in North America, but even 

 in Europe. The opinion which so generally prevails in England, 

 that the music of the groves and woods of America, is far inferior 

 to that of Europe, we cannot admit to be correct. We cannot with 

 fairness draw a comparison between the depth of the forest in Ame- 

 rica, and the cultivated fields of England ; because, it is a well known 

 fact, that singing birds seldom frequent the former, in any country. 

 But let the latter places be compared with the like situations in the 

 United States, and the superiority of song would justly belong to the 

 western continent. The few of our song birds that have visited 

 Europe extort admiration from the best judges. " The notes of the 

 Cardinal Grosbeak, says Latham, are almost equal to those of "the 

 Nightingale." Yet these notes, clear and excellent as they are, are 

 far inferior to those of the Wood Robin ; and even to those of the 

 Brown Thrush. Our inimitable Mockingbird is also acknowledged, 

 by the Europeans, to be fully equal to the song of the Nightingale 

 " in its whole compass." Yet these are not one tenth of the number 

 of our singing birds. Could these people be transported to the bor- 

 ders of our woods and settlements, in the month of May, about half 

 an hour before suni'ise, such a ravishing concert would greet their 

 ears as they have no conception of. 



Rice Bunting. This is the Boblink of the eastern and northern 

 states, and the Rice and Reed-bird of Pennsylvania and the southern 



