USEFUL I’.TRDS 
25 
colors and conspicuously lon^' tail make it a notable object when 
it seeks a prominent position on a lofty l)ranch, preparatory to 
sing'ing. Its song*, while striking, will not compare, we believe, 
with those of the two preceding nor with that of the cat bird. 
One of its chief charms, perhaps, lies in the fact that it is an ac- 
companiment of the welcome spring weather. \^^e have been so 
struck by the little rhyme credited to ‘‘Olive’’ in “Citizen Bird,” 
which certainly is very descriptive of its habits and song, that we 
venture to repeat it here : 
“My creamy breast is speckled 
(Perhaps you’d call it freckled) 
Black and brown. 
“My pliant russet tail 
Beats like a frantic flail. 
Up and down. 
“In the top branch of a tree 
You may chance a glance at me, 
Wdien I sing. 
“P)Ut Pm very, very shy, 
AA’hen I silently float by. 
On the wing. 
“Whew there! lli there! Such a clatter. 
What’s the matter — what’s the matter? 
Really, really? 
“Digging, delving, raking, sowing. 
Corn is sprouting, corn is growing;. 
Plant it, plant it ! 
Gather it, gather it ! 
Thresh it, thresh it ! 
1 lide it, hide it, do ! 
( 1 see it — and you.) 
Oh ! I’m that famous scratcher, 
Il-a-r-p-o-r-h-y-n-c-h-u-s r-u-f-u-s— Thrasher 
Cloaked in brown.” 
While the brown thrush may take a little fruit or grain, it is 
a good insect-eater and, as a ground feeder, scratching amongst 
