TRAVELS IN 
*9* 
of nature. They are a kind of domeflic bird 
during their fpring and fummer re fide nee in Penfyl- 
vania, building their nefts in gardens and fheltering 
themfelves in groves near the houfes. They caufe 
great trouble and vexation to hens that have broods 
of chickens, by imitating their diftreffmg cries, in 
which they feem to enjoy much delight, and caufe 
fome amyfement to perfons who are diverted at 
fuch incidents. They are the firft bird heard hing- 
ing in the morning, even before break of day. 
They feem to be a tribe of birds feparated by 
nature from the motaciike, with which the zoologifts 
have claffed them, and appear allied to a tribe pe- 
culiar to America, to which Edwards has given the 
name of manakin. In their nature they feem to 
take place between the thrufh (turdus) and mota- 
cilla, their beak being longer, ftronger, and ftraighter 
than the motacilla, and formed for eating fruit, 
which is their chief food ; yet they will feed on rep- 
tile infects, but never attempt to take their prey on 
the wing. 
Catefby is chargeable with the like miftake with 
rei'pect to the little thrufh (t. minor) and the fox 
coloured thrufh (t. rufus) both eminent fingers, and 
die latter little inferior to the mock- bird. The 
former for his fhrill, fonorous and elevated ftrains 
in the high, fliady forefts ; and the latter for va- 
riety, foftnefs and conftant refponfes in the hedges 
and groves near houfes. 
But yet Catefby has fome right of claim to our 
excufe and juftification, for his detraction of the 
fame due to thefe eminent muficians of the groves 
and for efts , when we confider that he refided and 
pnade his collections and obfervations, in the regi- 
ons 
