NESTLINGS OF FOREST AND MARSH 
if that failed, smacked her lips on the back 
of her hand to imitate the mother’s chuck, 
which ruse is usually successful. 
Have you ever studied a catbird? If not, 
do so at the first opportunity. You will 
find him in a tangle of wild grape-vine or 
a syringa bush or a willow thicket. You 
will hear him everywhere, for he is a ven- 
triloquist, and from one small throat can 
send out a dozen different bird songs in 
as many directions. How often will he out- 
wit you, and know it too ! He will mock 
you, jeer at you, invite you to follow him, 
tease you with pretence of nest-guarding, 
and all with the grace of a Chesterfield. 
You will never learn his mood. Many a 
scramble through a brambly thicket, many 
a chase through fern tangles and wet places, 
will he lead you, ever farther and farther 
from his nest. And when you are sure 
you have finally reached his haunt, he will 
fly like a shadow back through the trees 
to the starting-place again. Should you 
discover his nest, how valiantly will he 
210 
