BY THE WAYSIDE 
7 
Grand Junction, Michigan. 
August 4, 1913 
Dear Wayside: 
I am going to write about the cat¬ 
bird. I recall one summer afternoon 
while hoeing in the garden, of having 
a female cat bird fly over me and 
alight on the ground almost at my feet 
and pick up the worms and insects that 
she could find. I honestly believe that 
she was the most distressed looking 
wild bird that I ever saw. Whether 
she had been sick or had grown thin 
by brooding the eggs too long, I know 
not; but it hardly could have been the 
latter case, unless the nest had been 
despoiled, for she did not carry away 
any food, but swallowed whatever she 
found. 
I stood still, and she came still closer 
and I then noticed an appealing look 
in her eyes that moved me to pity. I 
stopped my work and allowed her to 
gather what food she needed. Poor 
bird! For who could tell what trouble 
had been hers? 
The catbird has rightly been called 
the northern mocking bird; and so it 
might well be, for its size, shape and 
coloring so nearly resemble its more 
gifted southern cousin that the name 
well applies. Having never heard the 
mocking bird, I cannot judge as to the 
musical ability. 
Although the catbird sometimes 
does considerable harm by destroying 
small fruits and berries, the bird can¬ 
not be considered injurious. Oil the 
contrary, in most parts of country it 
does far more good than harm: Out¬ 
side of the small fruits, which consist 
mostly of wild berries in our eastern 
states, the catbird feeds upon destruc¬ 
tive insects. 
Yours truly, 
Hugh Barnes. 
Age 13 years. 
Grand Junction, Mich. 
Suggestions to Teachers. 
The article on Migration may suggest 
a number of things for discussion in 
class. 
Meaning of word migration? 
Do other animals migrate? Yes, 
ex.: seals, eels, salmon, and 
some other fishes; deer; does 
man? Do plants migrate? 
Periodic migration is a strik¬ 
ing characteristic of many 
birds. 
How do we know that birds mi¬ 
grate ? Keep a record of the 
birds seen in your locality 
and compare birds found 
now, found in midwinter, in 
spring, in summer. Conclu¬ 
sions. Make a duplicate 
copy and sent it to the edi¬ 
tor of By the Wayside. 
Do all birds migrate? No. ex.: 
House (English) sparrow, 
Blue Jay, Bob White. 
Owing to the delay in issuing we can 
announce the election of Dr. Victor 
Kutchin, of Green Lake, Wis., to the 
office of secretary-treasurer. He was 
the unanimous choice of the Directors 
held October 17, which was called for 
the purpose of filling vacancies by Vice- 
President Cleasby. Dr. Kutchin is an¬ 
xious to do his best in promoting the 
welfare of the society and deserves the 
hearty support of every member. 
