100 
TURDUS LIVIDUS. 
90. TURDUS LIVIDUS, WILSON. — T. FELIVOX, VIEILL. 
CAT BIRD. 
WILSON, PLATE XIV. FIG. III. 
We have here a very common and very numerous 
species, in this part of the United States ; and one as 
well known to all classes of people, as his favourite 
briers, or blackberry bushes. In spring* or summer, on 
approaching* thickets of brambles, the first salutation 
you receive is from the cat bird ; and a stranger, unac- 
quainted with its note, would instantly conclude that 
some vagrant orphan kitten had got bewildered among 
the briers, and wanted assistance ; so exactly does the 
call of the bird resemble the voice of that animal. 
Unsuspicious, and extremely familiar, he seems less 
apprehensive of man than almost any other of our 
summer visitants ; for whether in the woods, or in the 
garden, where he frequently builds his nest, he seldom 
allows you to pass without approaching to pay his 
respects, in his usual way. This humble familiarity 
and deference, from a stranger, too, who comes to rear 
his young, and spend the summer with us, ought to 
entitle him to a full share of our hospitality. Sorry I 
am, however, to say, that this, in too many instances, 
is cruelly the reverse. Of this I will speak more parti- 
cularly in the sequel. 
About the 28th of February, the cat bird first arrives 
in the lower parts of Georgia from the south, conse- 
quently winters not far distant, probably in Florida. 
On the second w r eek in April, he usually reaches this 
part of Pennsylvania ; and about the beginning of May, 
has already succeeded in building his nest. The place 
chosen for this purpose is generally a thicket of briers 
or brambles, a thorn bush, thick vine, or the fork df a 
small sapling ; no great solicitude is shewn for conceal- 
ment, though few birds appear more interested for the 
safety of their nest and young. The materials are dry 
