BIRDS. 
145 
107. Perched upon a tree in the dawn of morn- 
ing, you may hear from him, among other sounds, 
the warblings of the bluebird, the clear, mellow tones 
of the thrush, and the savage scream of the bald- 
eagle. A stranger to his variable notes would think 
himself surrounded with some fifteen or twenty 
different species of the feathered race. 
108. In confinement he acquires many new sounds. 
You will hear from him the barking of the dog, the 
mewing of the cat, and the creaking of a wheel- 
barrow. 
109. He imitates a hurt chicken, and the hen 
hurries about with bristled feathers to protect her 
offspring ; he whistles, and the dog, wagging his tail, 
runs to his master. His mellow tones are often in- 
terrupted, of a sudden, by the cackling of hens, and 
the shrill notes of the kildeer, and blue jay. 
THE BLACKBIRD. 
110. The Blackbird is very common in the United 
States, and well known from the glossy blackness 
of its plumage. It feeds on worms, snails, &c., and 
What sounds does he imitate to great perfection ? 
What can you relate regarding the Black Bird ? 
IB 
