22 
TWENTY-SIX COMMON BIRDS. 
CATBIRD. 10. 
[galeoscoptes carolinensis.] 
Thick shrubbery, particularly about houses or at the edges of 
water, are the favorite haunts of the Catbird. An old lilac or 
syringa will often shelter a pair year after year. The unmusical 
meiv from which the bird gets its name, a deep chuck or a chatter, 
are often the only evidences of the bird’s presence, for it is secretive, 
although not shy. The tail is constantly and adroitly used to ex¬ 
press emotion. The nest is placed in the thicket, a few feet above 
the ground, and is rather large, composed of sticks lined with grape 
vine or cedar bark. The eggs, four or five in number, are of a lus¬ 
trous bluish green. Two broods are sometimes raised. The Catbird 
has a fondness for fruit, which has brought it into disrepute among 
small-fruit growers, but the percentage of cultivated fruit eaten is 
very small, and it destroys each year great numbers of caterpillars 
and cutworms. The Catbird’s fondness for the neighborhood of 
man, and its amusing tricks of voice and gesture recommend it to 
the protection of everyone. Its song, too, is freely poured forth 
and though too often marred by clownish tricks, is at its best a fine 
performance. It consists of a succession of separate and varied 
phrases, among which are often heard some which recall the Bobo¬ 
link, Thrush or Whippoorwill. The Catbird spends the winter in 
the south, reaching New England in early May, and lingering 
among the fruit-laden hedgerows and thickets till October. 
HOUSE WREN. 24. 
[troglodytes aedon.] 
The Wren, like the Bluebird and Martin, seems to be a true 
lover of country surroundings; when the houses become too thick, 
it moves away, but wherever orchards or wide dooryards separate 
the houses, it inhabits either the hollow knotholes or the boxes put 
up for his use. If these are not available, almost anything that is 
hollow will serve, — an old shoe or hat, or a water spout, all have 
