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.