THE CAT BIRD. 
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that of the ferruginous thrush. A quaintness, however, pre¬ 
vails in all his efforts, and his song is frequently made up of 
short and blended imitations of other birds, given however, 
with great emphasis, melody, and variety of tone; and, like 
the nightingale, invading the hours of repose, in the late 
twilight of a summer’s evening, when scarce another note is 
heard but the hum of the drowsy beetle, his music attains its 
full effect, and often rises and falls with all the swell and 
studied cadence of finished harmony. During the heat of 
the day, or late in the morning, the variety of his song 
declines, or he pursues his employment in silence and 
retirement.” 
About the dawn of day, if at large, the cat bird flirts about with 
affected wildness, repeatedly jerks his wings and tail, with a 
noise somewhat resembling a whip, stretching forth his head, 
opens his mouth, and mews. Sometimes this curious cry is so 
guttural as to be uttered without opening his bill. He often 
also gives a squeal as he flies from one place to another. 
According to Latham, this bird is also capable of imitating 
the variable airs of instrumental music, and will sometimes 
mimick the cry of chickens so as to deceive and distress the 
parent hen. When reared from the nest, he is easily domes¬ 
ticated, becomes a very amusing companion, and seems 
attached to his cage. Although a pleasant songster, he is 
seldom kept in confinement, and 1 believe all attempts at 
breeding it, have failed. 
FOOD MD MANAGEMENT. 
The natural food of this species is similar to that oi the 
ferruginous thrush, consisting principally of insects and 
worms, particularly beetles and wasps, and the \arious kinds 
of garden fruits. 
In confinement, the food of these birds may be almost 
everything that is vegetable, except unbruised seeds, such as 
bread, fine pastry, containing little or no spices, cakes, 
