THRASHERS, MOCKINGBIRDS, ETC. FAMILY MIMIDÆ
MOCKINGBIRD
Mimus polyglottos polyglottos. [Case 4]; Fig. 76
To be confused in color only with the Loggerhead Shrike, but larger, with a longer tail, no black on the face and totally different habits. L. 10½.
Range. Nests from the Gulf to Iowa and Maryland; rarely to Massachusetts; winters from Maryland southward.
Washington, uncommon P.R., less numerous in winter. Cambridge, rare S.R., Mch. to Nov.
No southern garden is complete without a Mockingbird to guard its treasures with his harsh alarm-note and extol its beauties in his brilliant, varied song. He is to the South what the Robin is to the North—and more, for he is present throughout the year while the Robin is with us only during the nesting season.
The Mocker builds in bushes, orange-trees or other dense vegetation, from late March, in southern Florida, to early May in Virginia. The 4-6 eggs are blue heavily marked with brown.
CATBIRD
Dumatella carolinensis. [Case 4], Fig. 81; [Case 6], Fig. 71
Both sexes of the Catbird wear the same costume at all seasons and all ages. L. 9.
Range. Nests from Florida and Texas to Canada winters from South Carolina to the tropics.
Washington, abundant S.R., Apl. 34-Oct. 11; occasionally winters. Ossining, common S.R. Apl. 28-Oct. 25. Cambridge, abundant S.R., May 6-Oct. 1; occasional in winter. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 21-Oct. 5. Glen Ellyn, common S.R., Apl. 29-Oct. 6. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 30-Oct. 6.
If the Catbird's name were based on his song instead of on his call-note, he might have won the popularity he deserves, but which seems forever denied him. Taking kindly to civilization he makes his home near ours, asking only the shelter of our shrubbery and a share of our small fruits in return for three months of music such as but few birds can produce.
The Catbird nests in bushes and thickets laying 3-5 greenish blue eggs in May.
BROWN THRASHER
Toxostoma rufum. [Case 4], Fig. 82; [Case 6], Fig. 72
Tail and bill much longer than in the Thrushes; white wing-bars; eye pale yellow. L. 11½.
Range. Nests from Florida and Louisiana to Canada; winters from North Carolina and SE. Missouri to Florida and Texas.
Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 8-Oct.; occasionally winters. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 22-Oct. 28. Cambridge common S.R., Apl. 36-Oct. 20. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 6-Oct. 15. Glen Ellyn, common S.R., Apl. 9-Oct. 11. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 15-Oct. 7.
In the wealth of new experiences and awakened associations which crowd the bird-lover's days in April and May, none stands out more clearly in my memory than the first Thrasher's song.
The rich, distinctly enunciated notes ring loud and clear above all other songs as the bird from some tree-top gives his musical message to the world. The performance concluded he returns to the undergrowth whence one may hear his explosive, whistled wheèu or sharp kissing note. The nest is built in bushy growths or on the ground in May. The 3-6 eggs are grayish white finely speckled with reddish brown.