"A society of House People who study American birds and decide by what name it is best to call each species, so that each may be known everywhere by the same name. This Brown Thrasher is sometimes called Song Thrush, Brown Thrush, Brown Mockingbird, and Mavis—though the first and the last of these four names belong only to a kind of European Thrush that is never found in this country. You see how confusing this is, and how much better it is for the Wise Men, who know him intimately, to give him one name you can be sure is right."
The Catbird.
Length between eight and nine inches.
Upper parts slate color.
Crown, bill, feet, and tail black.
Under parts lighter grayish-slate color, except a chestnut-red patch under the tail.
A Summer Citizen of the United States.
A Ground Gleaner, Tree Trapper, and Seed Sower.
THE BROWN THRASHER
"As I told you a moment ago, this handsome clean-built bird with keen eyes, curved bill, and long graceful tail that opens and shuts like a fan, has several names besides that of Brown Thrasher, which seems the most suitable for him."